So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Partners.
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 whatever under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been best, but it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I desire I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to accessibility three various configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the flexibility, however everything about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it resembles for somebody just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Partners.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a major movement– or worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well difficult to develop something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.