So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Sub Account.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roof seems like a performance dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I want someone had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology pile is harsh. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Completely pointless material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and restored series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to access three different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, but everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it’s like for a person just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I saw random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Sub Account.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– take a look at the genuine price.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” truly means.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Discover people with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that actually works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also tough to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply function.