So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) How Much Is GoHighLevel Worth.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency desire. However let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I want I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours fiddling with setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of calls. Totally unnecessary content. 3 days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, also reached out to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to take the chance of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no person would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to love the flexibility, but whatever about the user experience made me feel like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin accumulating. I saw random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment fees through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me How Much Is GoHighLevel Worth.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how crucial deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, building depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get flushed away.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– each time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– take a look at the actual cost.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really means.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a payment. Locate people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that really functions the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great project monitoring tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but fantastic for client partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too hard to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that just work.