So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Interface.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying everything under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I want someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I indicate, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely pointless material. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the flexibility, yet everything concerning the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it’s like for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Interface.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), 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 wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– check out the genuine cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly means.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project administration tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked also difficult to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply work.