So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel JavaScript.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve 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 set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I want I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Completely unimportant material. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to love the versatility, but whatever regarding the user experience made me seem like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it resembles for someone just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I noticed random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery charges through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel JavaScript.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– consider the actual expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant reviews around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that in fact works the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too difficult to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.