So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) GoHighLevel Workflow AI Assistant.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire technology stack is ruthless. I want I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Completely irrelevant content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered too much to risk one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to access 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to enjoy the flexibility, however every little thing concerning the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
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 means much less integrity in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Workflow AI Assistant.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get purged away.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– take a look at the real price.
Check out the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really implies.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant reviews available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the way it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but wonderful for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.