So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Media Library Revamp.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to access 3 various setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the adaptability, however every little thing regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Media Library Revamp.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– check out the actual price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that really works the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also tough to develop something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.