So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Smart Webchat Widget.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof seems like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to support. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of another error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to access 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the flexibility, but every little thing about the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Smart Webchat Widget.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of email marketing, you know just how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact no person informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– consider the actual expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually suggests.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that really works the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for client partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you study a major migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also tough to develop 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 simply work.