So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel POS For iPad.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency dream. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, but it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, even reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to risk another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, yet every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I discovered random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel POS For iPad.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the actual price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Locate people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked too difficult to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.