So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Hiring.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining everything under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favored set of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Entirely unimportant content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and restored series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to like the versatility, 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 years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution costs with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Hiring.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you know how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well difficult to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.