So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Kitchen Remodel Snapshot.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been excellent, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about 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 thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally irrelevant material. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to risk one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to gain access to 3 various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to love the flexibility, yet everything concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Kitchen Remodel Snapshot.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you understand how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– look at the real expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually works the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too tough to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.