So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Power Dialer.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing sounds like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it had not been ideal, but it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech stack is brutal. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to access three various configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to love the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for a person just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Power Dialer.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– take a look at the real cost.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact works the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however terrific for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.