So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel N8N.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing everything under one roof sounds like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish a person had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I want I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and restored series, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to love the versatility, however every little thing regarding the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I saw random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel N8N.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– check out the genuine expense.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a system that in fact works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too tough to build something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.