So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Pause Subscription.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving everything under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy 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 know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Totally unnecessary content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, however whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start accumulating. I observed random $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment charges through Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Pause Subscription.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, developing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– take a look at the real expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” actually means.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too hard to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.