So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Rocket.net.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving whatever under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been excellent, but it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Completely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I intended to like the adaptability, but everything concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Rocket.net.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– look at the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that actually works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well tough to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.