So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Languages.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roofing system sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech stack is harsh. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Totally unimportant content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to access 3 various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to enjoy the versatility, however whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for a person just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, 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 dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Languages.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked 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 tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– take a look at the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact works the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also difficult to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.