So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Phone Integration.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof seems like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it had not been ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech pile is harsh. I want I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary web content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to enjoy the versatility, yet every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Phone Integration.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– consider the actual expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” actually suggests.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that in fact works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job administration devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well tough to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.