So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel TikTok Lead Ads.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. Yet let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, however it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is brutal. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
At first, 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 awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely irrelevant content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, also reached out to support. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to gain access to three various configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, however every little thing concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery charges with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled 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 means less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel TikTok Lead Ads.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get purged away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed 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 devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– consider the genuine price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a system that really functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you study a major migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.