So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Pro Plan.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech pile is brutal. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to access 3 different setup panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the flexibility, however whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it’s like for a person simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment charges through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Pro Plan.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the real price.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant endorsements out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that really functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task administration devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too tough to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.