So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Strategies.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving every little thing under one roofing seems like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it had not been ideal, but it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to love the versatility, yet every little thing regarding the individual experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for a person simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Strategies.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort get flushed away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your credibility, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– consider the real cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Locate people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that actually functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project administration devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also difficult to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.