So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Inbound Caller ID.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roof 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 somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I mean, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Completely unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 various setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, yet whatever about the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start accumulating. I saw random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Inbound Caller ID.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, developing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– consider the real expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that actually functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet terrific for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too tough to develop something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.