So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Verified Caller ID.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I indicate, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been perfect, yet it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire technology pile is brutal. I want I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally pointless content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, removed and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered excessive to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, but everything about the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees popping up– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Verified Caller ID.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how vital deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it’s like watching your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no one tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– consider the genuine price.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually means.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well hard to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply work.