So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel No Payment Provider Found.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving every little thing under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to access three various arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to love the flexibility, however whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel No Payment Provider Found.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the real expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Find people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that really works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too hard to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.