So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel HTTP Requests.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing everything under one roof sounds like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, however it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is brutal. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to accessibility three various configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, but everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for a person simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like an economical, 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 reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel HTTP Requests.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– look at the genuine cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet fantastic for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too difficult to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.