So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Refresh Snapshot.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is harsh. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, even connected to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to access 3 various configuration panels– spread across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the adaptability, but every little thing concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Refresh Snapshot.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know just how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get purged away.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact works the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too hard to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.