So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it can replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Vapi AI.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I mean, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been best, yet it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is brutal. I want I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Totally unnecessary material. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, also connected to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to run the risk of another error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You need to access three various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the versatility, yet every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little charges that begin piling up. I saw random $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs via Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Vapi AI.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles viewing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– take a look at the genuine cost.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really means.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact works the means it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also difficult to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.