So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Training.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roofing seems like a performance desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I suggest, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to 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
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is brutal. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Totally unnecessary web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You need to access 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to like the versatility, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment charges through Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Training.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s precisely what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– take a look at the real cost.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant testimonies around? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Find people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something great. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.