So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Website Examples.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap dealt with every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was dependable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole technology stack is harsh. I want I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
At first, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– different batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You need to access 3 various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, but whatever about the user experience made me feel like I needed a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for somebody simply getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little fees that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Website Examples.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, developing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– consider the real price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a commission. Discover individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact works the means it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task monitoring devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well difficult to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.