So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Solar Snapshot.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roofing system seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do 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 genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is brutal. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant material. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to like the adaptability, but everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 fees popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Solar Snapshot.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for small cost– check out the real price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you dive into a major migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.