So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Services.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roofing seems like a performance dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I imply, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak 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 hidden in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, yet everything regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Services.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– check out the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Locate people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.