So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Walkthrough.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof covering seems like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I imply, Keap took care of everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I could tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
At first, it resembled things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Entirely unnecessary content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their feedback? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to accessibility three various arrangement panels– spread across the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to love the versatility, but every little thing regarding the customer experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail company.
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 getting method less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Walkthrough.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you know just how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– check out the genuine cost.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually implies.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for client partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. However it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too hard to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just work.