So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Group Buy.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving whatever under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, 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 preferred set of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked great.
I indicate, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Totally unimportant content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and restored series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the flexibility, but every little thing regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Group Buy.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of email marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– check out the real cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the way it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project administration devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also hard to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.