So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Insurance Snapshot.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roofing sounds like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and restored series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to risk one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to love the versatility, but everything about the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Shock 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 stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Insurance Snapshot.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– look at the real cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that in fact functions the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.