So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel OpenAI.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I desire a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was reliable. Like a great 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 new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I want I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Completely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to access 3 different arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to love the adaptability, yet every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel OpenAI.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you know exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed 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 tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the real cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Discover people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well hard to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.