So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Revenue.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving everything under one roof covering seems like a productivity dream. Yet let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 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 set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, but it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is brutal. I desire I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong team of calls. Totally pointless content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to access three various configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to like the adaptability, however whatever about the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start piling up. I discovered random $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Revenue.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– consider the real expense.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” actually implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for client partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too difficult to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.