So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) How Does GoHighLevel Work.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering seems like a performance desire. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, 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 before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned excellent.
I indicate, Keap took care of whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, however it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Price of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s entire tech stack is harsh. I want I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well long? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
At first, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Entirely pointless content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, deleted and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You have to access 3 various setup panels– spread across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to like the adaptability, however whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees via Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting way less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me How Does GoHighLevel Work.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize exactly how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, constructing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth nobody informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for low prices– check out the actual expense.
Read the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the glowing reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact functions the way it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic project management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client collaboration and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. But it really did not. And I can not act or else.
So prior to you study a major migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well hard to construct something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply work.