So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Phone System.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: 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 covering seems like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Crumbling
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Completely unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to accessibility three various setup panels– spread across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to like the versatility, yet everything about the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like 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 means much less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Phone System.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– look at the real expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant reviews around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact works the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too tough to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.