So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Shippo Integration.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving everything under one roofing sounds like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech pile is harsh. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally unimportant web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, even reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to access 3 different arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, yet everything concerning the customer experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Shippo Integration.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the real cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.