So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Search Atlas.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying everything under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been ideal, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I want I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You have to access three different configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to like the adaptability, however whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 fees turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Search Atlas.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back 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 too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– take a look at the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really means.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well hard to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.