So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Mortgage Snapshot.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving every little thing under one roof seems like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t best, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is harsh. I wish I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, yet everything about the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery charges through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Mortgage Snapshot.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you know just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– look at the genuine expense.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Locate people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.