So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Lead Scoring.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I indicate, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been ideal, however it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I want I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to risk one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to accessibility three different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to like the flexibility, but whatever regarding the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Lead Scoring.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– consider the actual price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well tough to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.