So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Partner Certification Program.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying 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 desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked great.
I indicate, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been best, however it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology pile is brutal. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely pointless content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and reconstructed sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to accessibility three different arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, however whatever concerning the user 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 building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it resembles for a person just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Partner Certification Program.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– check out the actual price.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually means.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that really functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also tough to build something great. 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.