So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Helpdesk.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing system seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is brutal. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to accessibility three different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the versatility, yet everything regarding the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Helpdesk.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– look at the actual price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Locate people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
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 searching for a platform that actually works the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also difficult to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.