So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Prospecting Tool.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, but it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is harsh. I want I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk another error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to love the flexibility, but whatever about the individual experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting alongside 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 not visualize what it’s like for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin piling up. I noticed random $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges with Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Prospecting Tool.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– check out the real cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that actually works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet fantastic for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you study a major migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too tough to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.