So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Scan Your Business.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even connected to support. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to gain access to 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to enjoy the versatility, yet every little thing regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Scan Your Business.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– consider the real expense.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really indicates.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant reviews out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that really functions the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job administration devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked too hard to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.