So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Subscription Management.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had grabbed 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 confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I imply, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I want I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant material. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to risk one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without instructions. I intended to like the versatility, yet every little thing about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs through Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Subscription Management.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, constructing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that actually functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also difficult to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just work.