So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Triggers.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I suggest, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is harsh. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Totally unimportant web content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their action? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You need to access 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to enjoy the versatility, however everything about the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled 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 really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Triggers.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the fact no one tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– consider the genuine price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that actually functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too tough to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.