So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) GoHighLevel Zoho.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying everything under one roofing sounds like a performance dream. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 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 Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked great.
I mean, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it had not been perfect, yet it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming 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 demonstrations and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it drew out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to access 3 different arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, however every little thing about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery costs with Mailgun, their email carrier.
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 obtaining means less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Zoho.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles watching your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the genuine expense.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” actually indicates.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Find individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job monitoring devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well hard to build something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.