So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel SaaSPRENEUR Workshop.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving whatever under one roof seems like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been perfect, however it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is brutal. I want I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Entirely irrelevant material. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to gain access to three various arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the adaptability, however every little thing concerning the customer experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it resembles for a person just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel SaaSPRENEUR Workshop.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– look at the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too difficult to develop something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.