So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Outlook Integration.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked wonderful.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize 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 missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech pile is harsh. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic 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 places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 various configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, however everything about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees with Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like 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 getting way less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Outlook Integration.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you know just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– take a look at the actual cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that really works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however excellent for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too difficult to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.