So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Text To Pay.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of streamlining everything under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been excellent, but it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the versatility, however whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start piling up. I saw random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Text To Pay.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– take a look at the actual price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” truly implies.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Discover people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the way it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just function.