So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Gravity Forms.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving everything under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been perfect, however it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is harsh. I want I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Entirely unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now 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 realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You need to accessibility three various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the flexibility, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like an economical, 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 reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Gravity Forms.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you understand just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get flushed away.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– take a look at the actual price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the way it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.