So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Headquarters.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, however it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Completely unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to access three different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to like the versatility, however everything regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Headquarters.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of email marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the actual price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that really functions the way it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too difficult to develop something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.