So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Pipeline.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing everything under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I mean, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been ideal, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I want I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Totally unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to access three different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to love the versatility, yet whatever about the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Pipeline.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get flushed away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– take a look at the genuine price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly means.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually works the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.