So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Unlimited Sub Accounts.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving whatever under one roof seems like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it had not been best, but it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is harsh. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of calls. Totally unimportant material. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to love the versatility, yet every little thing concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I noticed random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution fees through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Unlimited Sub Accounts.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– look at the real cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly suggests.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Locate people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact functions the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also hard to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.