So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Square Payment Integration.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving everything under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I imply, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely 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 before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Completely unimportant material. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to access three different setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, however everything regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Square Payment Integration.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified 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 considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– look at the genuine price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly means.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well tough to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.