So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Promotion.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roofing sounds like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I mean, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been perfect, yet it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to access three different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to love the versatility, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Promotion.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of email marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the genuine expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well difficult to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.