So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Outbound Calling.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely unimportant web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, however whatever about the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Outbound Calling.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– look at the genuine price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that really functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also hard to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.