So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel QR Code Generator.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is harsh. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to accessibility three different arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, yet every little thing about the user experience made me feel like I required a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel QR Code Generator.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– look at the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well tough to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.