So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Local SEO.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving every little thing under one roofing system seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is brutal. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to access 3 various setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the versatility, however every little thing about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Local SEO.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of email marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), 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?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– consider the actual expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Find people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project administration devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also hard to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.