So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Google My Business Integration.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying everything under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I wish a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked great.
I imply, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely irrelevant material. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to gain access to three different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I noticed random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution charges through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Google My Business Integration.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, constructing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– take a look at the real cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly implies.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Find people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well difficult to develop something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply work.