So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel GPT-4 Turbo.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, but it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the flexibility, but every little thing concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for a person just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel GPT-4 Turbo.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of email marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, developing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– check out the genuine price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too difficult to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.