So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel HTML.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap took care of everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to 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 start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is brutal. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the flexibility, yet everything concerning the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for a person simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I observed random $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs through Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel HTML.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– look at the genuine expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that actually functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a major migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well difficult to develop something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.