So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Social Media.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing sounds like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech stack is harsh. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely pointless content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, even reached out to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk another error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to accessibility three different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to love the flexibility, however whatever regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it’s like for a person simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I observed random $10 fees turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery charges via Mailgun, their email company.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Social Media.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, constructing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– 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. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– each time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for small cost– take a look at the genuine expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” truly implies.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that actually functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.