So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Real Estate Snapshot.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof covering sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it had not been excellent, however it was trustworthy. 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 eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers 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, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech pile is brutal. I want I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of calls. Totally unnecessary material. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to access three various arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to love the adaptability, however whatever about the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Real Estate Snapshot.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles watching your effort get flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– consider the actual cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that really functions the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just work.