So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel Terms of Service.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been excellent, however it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech pile is brutal. I desire I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
At first, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Totally pointless material. 3 days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to accessibility three various configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the versatility, yet every little thing regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I observed random $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees with Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Terms of Service.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, building trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– look at the genuine expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Find people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also tough to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just work.