So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Google LSA Booking Integration.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roof seems like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been excellent, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely pointless web content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You have to gain access to three various arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, but everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees with Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Google LSA Booking Integration.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, developing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the genuine price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly means.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonies around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that in fact works the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.