So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Math Calculation.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked great.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t best, yet it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is harsh. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to access 3 various configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to love the adaptability, but whatever regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for somebody simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery fees via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Math Calculation.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of email marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, constructing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– look at the actual price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also difficult to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.