So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Survey Builder.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want someone had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned great.
I mean, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, however it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I wish I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Totally unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, yet whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Survey Builder.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– look at the genuine price.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a platform that really works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however wonderful for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not act or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well hard to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.