So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Refund.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving everything under one roofing sounds like a productivity dream. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is harsh. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally pointless web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy 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 one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to enjoy the versatility, yet everything regarding the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 fees turning up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Refund.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– check out the actual price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too tough to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.