So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Steakhouse Playbook.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is brutal. I want I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally pointless web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and restored series, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to risk one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint 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 do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to gain access to three various configuration panels– spread across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to love the adaptability, but everything concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery charges with Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Steakhouse Playbook.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get purged away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the genuine price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing endorsements out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that in fact functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project administration tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but fantastic for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t make believe or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also hard to construct something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.