So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Incoming Call Timeout.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof seems like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 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 Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I indicate, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology pile is brutal. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely irrelevant material. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored series, even reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to access 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the versatility, however whatever about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Incoming Call Timeout.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– check out the actual cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the method it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.