So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Release Radar.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing system sounds like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I suggest, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All 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.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unimportant web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the versatility, but whatever regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I observed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Release Radar.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– consider the genuine expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really means.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Locate people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a platform that really works the way it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task administration devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too tough to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that simply work.