So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Marketing Agency Playbook.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing everything under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology stack is harsh. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely pointless material. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, even connected to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You need to accessibility three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to like the flexibility, but everything concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery fees via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Marketing Agency Playbook.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, constructing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– look at the actual expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant endorsements out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Find individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that actually works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.