So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Granular Permissions.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride 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, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t best, however it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is brutal. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the versatility, but every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for somebody just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Granular Permissions.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– look at the real cost.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too hard to develop something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.