So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Merge Fields.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, yet it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is harsh. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely pointless content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to support. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to gain access to three various configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the flexibility, however everything regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Merge Fields.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of email marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get flushed away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– consider the genuine price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” actually means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a system that really functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too hard to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.