So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Offers.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing system seems like a performance desire. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I imply, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been excellent, yet it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is harsh. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Completely pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to access 3 different configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the versatility, but every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I saw random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Offers.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you understand how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, developing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get flushed away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– take a look at the genuine cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.