So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Notifications.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set 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 precise. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I indicate, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology pile is brutal. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely pointless content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the versatility, yet whatever about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting 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’t imagine what it’s like for someone just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Notifications.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– take a look at the genuine expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that really functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.