So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Summit 2025.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof seems like a performance desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I mean, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been excellent, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology stack is harsh. I want I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Completely irrelevant web content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to access three various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, however whatever regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it resembles for a person simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin piling up. I noticed random $10 charges popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees via Mailgun, their email supplier.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Summit 2025.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– take a look at the real expense.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” really suggests.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So before you study a major movement– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well tough to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.