So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel IP Protected Snapshots.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roofing sounds like a performance desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and restored series, even reached out to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to access 3 various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the adaptability, yet every little thing about the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for a person just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel IP Protected Snapshots.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– look at the actual price.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” truly suggests.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet terrific for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well tough to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.