So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Mailgun.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering seems like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want a person had actually 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 starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Completely irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to like the adaptability, but every little thing about the customer experience made me seem 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 many years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Mailgun.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of email marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get flushed away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– consider the real expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually means.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Locate individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too difficult to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.