So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) GoHighLevel Updates.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving everything under one roof sounds like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I imply, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets 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 genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is brutal. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Completely unnecessary content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to access three different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, however everything about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not envision what it resembles for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery charges with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Updates.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify 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 seeking something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– check out the real expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a system that really functions the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task management devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for client partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well tough to develop something wonderful. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just work.