So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Nameservers.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. Yet let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I imply, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t best, however it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to access three various setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, but everything about the user experience made me seem like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for someone just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Nameservers.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 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 given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– look at the real cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that in fact works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well hard to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.