So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Troubleshooting Tool.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked great.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my service. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental power it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of contacts. Totally pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience 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 fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to gain access to three different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to like the flexibility, but every little thing about the user experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Troubleshooting Tool.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– consider the real expense.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact works the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t act or else.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well difficult to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.