So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Nested Folders.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof covering seems like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 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 frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, but it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is harsh. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to love the adaptability, however whatever concerning the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that start piling up. I discovered random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Nested Folders.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– check out the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but terrific for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.