So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Set Your Own Markup.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roofing system seems like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is harsh. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Completely pointless web content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You need to gain access to three various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the versatility, yet whatever regarding the user experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I discovered random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges with Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Set Your Own Markup.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of email marketing, you know exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– take a look at the real price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that in fact functions the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task management devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.