So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Google Drive Integration.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech pile is brutal. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Entirely unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to access 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to like the adaptability, yet everything about the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I saw random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Google Drive Integration.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– take a look at the real cost.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too hard to develop something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.