So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Live Chat.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing everything under one roof seems like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap took care of everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to access 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to love the adaptability, however every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs with Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Live Chat.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– check out the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that actually functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also difficult to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.