So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Test Mode.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing system seems like an efficiency dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I imply, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen 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 Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to risk another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to accessibility 3 various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wished to like the flexibility, but whatever regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs through 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 more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Test Mode.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get purged away.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on 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 went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no one tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– consider the actual price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Locate people with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually works the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job management devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also hard to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.