So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Top Affiliates.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roofing seems like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned great.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Completely irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to gain access to 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to like the flexibility, however everything concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution fees with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Top Affiliates.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), 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 would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for small cost– take a look at the actual price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too tough to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.