So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Project Management.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing seems like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked great.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is brutal. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and restored series, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to love the adaptability, yet every little thing concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Project Management.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– look at the real cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually works the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well tough to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.