So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Sell Snapshots.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I indicate, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item 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 bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech stack is harsh. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of calls. Completely irrelevant content. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored series, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to access three different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to love the flexibility, however everything about the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for a person simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Sell Snapshots.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, constructing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get purged away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– look at the real expense.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonies available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also tough to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply work.