So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Whitelabel Zap.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering seems like a productivity dream. However let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t best, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is harsh. I want I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely unimportant material. Three days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, also connected to support. Their action? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You need to access three different setup panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to love the adaptability, however whatever concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it’s like for someone just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 costs turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like an economical, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Whitelabel Zap.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– take a look at the genuine price.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the way it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project management tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also difficult to build something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.