So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Reviews.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering 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 exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I want I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Completely unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to gain access to three different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to love the versatility, yet whatever about the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Reviews.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– consider the genuine expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not act or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also difficult to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.