So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel SaaSPRENEUR Program.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is harsh. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely unimportant material. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to gain access to three various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the flexibility, however every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it resembles for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel SaaSPRENEUR Program.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still 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 email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– check out the genuine price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked too tough to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.