So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Snapshot Templates.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving everything under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap took care of everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I desire 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 look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely pointless content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to accessibility 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to enjoy the versatility, however every little thing about the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t envision what it’s like for a person just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment fees through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Snapshot Templates.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– look at the real expense.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the method it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet terrific for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too tough to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.