So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel No Valid Payment Method Found.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing sounds like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I suggest, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been excellent, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
At first, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unimportant material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to accessibility three various setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the flexibility, but everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t imagine what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start piling up. I saw random $10 charges turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery charges through Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like 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 getting method less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel No Valid Payment Method Found.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, constructing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain flushed away.
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, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the genuine cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually implies.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact functions the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well hard to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.