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 how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Integrations.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof sounds like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the adaptability, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for a person just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment charges via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Integrations.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– consider the actual expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really means.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also hard to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.