So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Twilio Integration.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving every little thing under one roofing system seems like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I imply, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a lots automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and restored series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to accessibility three various setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to love the versatility, however whatever about the user experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for someone just beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Twilio Integration.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– consider the actual price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really means.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually works the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job monitoring tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you dive into a major migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well tough to develop something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.