So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) GoHighLevel User Permissions.
I get it. The promise is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing seems like an efficiency desire. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trustworthy. 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 considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is brutal. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally irrelevant web content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and restored series, also reached out to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the emails 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 screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to access 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, yet whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it’s like for someone just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that start piling up. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
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 method less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel User Permissions.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your hard work get flushed away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was strong. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– look at the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies available? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that actually functions the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet terrific for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also difficult to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.