So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Sign Up.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roof sounds like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it had not been perfect, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire technology stack is brutal. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely irrelevant material. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, yet every little thing concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it’s like for somebody just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start piling up. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment fees through Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Sign Up.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– look at the genuine expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you study a major migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.