So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Workflows.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of improving whatever under one roofing seems like a productivity desire. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I want somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I indicate, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Sure, it had not been perfect, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is brutal. I wish I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Completely pointless material. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, deleted and restored series, even reached out to support. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 different arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution costs with Mailgun, their email company.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Workflows.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you know exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was strong. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– look at the real expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really suggests.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Locate people with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the means it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but great for client cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also difficult to develop something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.