So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Snapshot Report.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roof covering seems like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it had not been best, however it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of calls. Entirely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, also reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk another error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to access 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to enjoy the versatility, but every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for someone just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 fees appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery charges with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Snapshot Report.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get purged away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
However 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 Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– take a look at the genuine expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that really functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a major migration– or worse, convince your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also tough to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.