So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel V2 API.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roofing seems like a productivity dream. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is harsh. I want I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Completely unnecessary material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and restored series, also connected to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to access 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the versatility, but everything about the user experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel V2 API.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for small cost– look at the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Find people with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that really functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well hard to develop something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.