So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel URL Shortener.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked great.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning 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. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech stack is brutal. I wish I might 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 really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unimportant content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even reached out to sustain. Their response? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot 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.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You have to access three various configuration panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, however every little thing about the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel URL Shortener.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– consider the genuine cost.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout 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 assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also hard to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.