So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Split Testing.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been excellent, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers 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 demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely irrelevant content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You need to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, however every little thing about the user experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it resembles for a person just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I discovered random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery fees with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, 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 integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Split Testing.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate 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 secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– consider the real price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Discover people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.