So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Hidden Fees.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want someone had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech pile is brutal. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to love the flexibility, however every little thing about the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Hidden Fees.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get purged away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– take a look at the actual price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task management devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well hard to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.