So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel White Label.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology stack is harsh. I desire I could tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points 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 near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely unnecessary material. Three days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and restored series, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You need to access three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the adaptability, yet every little thing concerning the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for someone simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel White Label.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, developing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– look at the genuine price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So before you dive into a major migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just function.