So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Virtual Workshop.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had gotten me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically 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 missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech pile is harsh. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of get in touches with. Completely unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to access 3 different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, but every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a programmer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I discovered random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment charges via Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Virtual Workshop.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of 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% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– look at the actual expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project administration devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too difficult 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 just function.