So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Read 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 White Label Mobile App.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining everything under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been ideal, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire technology stack is brutal. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect group of calls. Completely unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed series, even reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to gain access to three various arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, but whatever about the user experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little charges that start piling up. I saw random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel White Label Mobile App.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like watching your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– take a look at the actual cost.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” truly means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a compensation. Find people with nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the method it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not make believe or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that simply work.