So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) How To Migrate A Website To GoHighLevel.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my service. Sure, it had not been best, but it was trusted. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding 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 Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech pile is ruthless. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong group of calls. Completely unnecessary content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– various batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, also reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. You need to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the flexibility, but whatever concerning the user experience made me seem like I required a designer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start accumulating. I observed random $10 fees turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what looked like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less integrity in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me How To Migrate A Website To GoHighLevel.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you recognize how crucial deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, constructing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like seeing your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every single time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– look at the real expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually implies.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Find people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a platform that actually functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but terrific for customer cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly 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. Yet it really did not. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked as well tough to construct something wonderful. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that simply work.