So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Klarna.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing everything under one roofing system seems like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been ideal, however it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is harsh. I want I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Totally unnecessary content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to access 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the versatility, yet whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Klarna.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– look at the actual price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job monitoring devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet terrific for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too difficult to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.