So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Jessica Clark.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof sounds like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and restored series, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to accessibility three various configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the versatility, yet every little thing concerning the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Jessica Clark.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get flushed away.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (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 Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– consider the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also difficult to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.