So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Joyce Boss.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering 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 actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favorite set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I suggest, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t best, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners 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 trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech stack is brutal. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Totally unimportant material. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed series, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to risk another error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to gain access to three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the versatility, yet everything concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Joyce Boss.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact no person informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– take a look at the actual price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Discover people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that in fact functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also hard to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.