So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Membership Subscription.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is brutal. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to like the adaptability, yet every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution costs through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like 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 much less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Membership Subscription.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– consider the real price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover people 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.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that in fact functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well difficult to build something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.