So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Multi-Step Form.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing sounds like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I indicate, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been best, however it was reputable. Like an excellent 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 fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech stack is harsh. I want I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Entirely pointless content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and reconstructed sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to access three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the flexibility, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for somebody just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Multi-Step Form.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of email marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate 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 secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies available? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too tough to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.