So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) How Much Does GoHighLevel Cost.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of streamlining everything under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. However let me quit you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I suggest, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been perfect, yet it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole tech stack is brutal. I desire I can tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for as well lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Completely pointless material. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently 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 practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You need to access three various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture 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 coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per email you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me How Much Does GoHighLevel Cost.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of email marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– take a look at the genuine price.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really means.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful testimonials around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a commission. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the method it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job management tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d probably be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too difficult to develop something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.