So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Media Library UI.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing everything under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked great.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, but it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely unimportant web content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to like the flexibility, but everything about the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start accumulating. I saw random $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Media Library UI.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– consider the real expense.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the method it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well tough to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.