So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Shipping.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing seems like a performance desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I imply, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been best, but it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech stack is brutal. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely pointless web content. Three days straight. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, but every little thing concerning the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Shipping.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– check out the real price.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout 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 works the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also difficult to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.