So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Voicemail.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roofing system seems like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I suggest, Keap managed every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Completely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to love the versatility, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less integrity in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Voicemail.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to low cost– take a look at the real expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonies around? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job management tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, however great for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also difficult to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just work.