So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Referral Program.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving every little thing under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Breaking Down
At first, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to access 3 various configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the versatility, however whatever regarding the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Referral Program.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get purged away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– check out the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant reviews around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also tough to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.