So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Microsoft Teams Integration.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying everything under one roof sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t best, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is harsh. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of contacts. Totally unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to risk an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to access 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to love the versatility, yet everything concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Microsoft Teams Integration.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– consider the real price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Locate individuals with absolutely 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 actually works the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also tough to develop something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.