So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Internal Notification.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving whatever under one roofing seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I desire I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Totally pointless web content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to access 3 different setup panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to love the adaptability, yet whatever regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Internal Notification.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– look at the actual price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Find people with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well difficult to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.