So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Varun Vairavan.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving whatever under one roofing system sounds like a performance desire. However let me quit you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had actually gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I suggest, Keap managed everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is brutal. I want I could tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
At first, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of calls. Totally pointless web content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to love the versatility, however whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start piling up. I saw random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges with Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like 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 obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Varun Vairavan.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you understand just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked 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 devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the reality no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– consider the real cost.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly suggests.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that in fact functions the means it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for customer partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you dive into a major migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well hard to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply work.