So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Single Sign On (SSO).
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving everything under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it had not been best, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology pile is harsh. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to access 3 various arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the versatility, however everything concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I saw random $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Single Sign On (SSO).
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles watching your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that really works the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task monitoring tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.