So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Niches.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened 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 terrific.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I want I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely unnecessary web content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to risk another error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to access three various arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the adaptability, yet everything about the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for someone just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Niches.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, constructing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your effort get purged away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call 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 assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– look at the real expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually suggests.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project management devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well hard to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.