So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Plans.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving whatever under one roof seems like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, but it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing 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 reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology stack is brutal. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely pointless web content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, however every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Plans.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, constructing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned 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 on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– look at the real cost.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact works the way it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked too tough to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.