So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Instagram Shop.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I indicate, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I want I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely pointless web content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You have to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to like the adaptability, yet whatever concerning the individual experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment charges through Mailgun, their e-mail 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 method less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Instagram Shop.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, developing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– consider the real price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that in fact works the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too difficult to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply work.