So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) GoHighLevel Yearly Plan.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying whatever under one roof sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want a person had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology stack is harsh. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary web content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, also connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different arrangement panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wished to love the adaptability, yet everything concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t visualize what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Yearly Plan.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing count on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great reason to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to low cost– check out the genuine cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact functions the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So prior to you study a major movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked too tough to construct something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just work.