So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel URL Redirects.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roofing seems like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech stack is brutal. I want I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Totally unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, removed and reconstructed sequences, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered excessive to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to love the adaptability, however everything regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel URL Redirects.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– consider the genuine cost.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really indicates.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Find individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the way it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer 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 make believe or else.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned as well tough to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just work.