So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Landing Pages.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying everything under one roofing seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been best, however it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is brutal. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Entirely pointless web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the versatility, but everything regarding the user experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Landing Pages.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the actual cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too difficult to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.