So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Tech Support.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Completely unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You need to gain access to 3 various setup panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the flexibility, however every little thing regarding the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery charges via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Tech Support.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, developing count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– take a look at the actual cost.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly indicates.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that actually functions the way it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task monitoring tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also hard to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just work.