So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) How To Sign Up For GoHighLevel.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying everything under one roofing seems like an efficiency desire. However let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I imply, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it had not been excellent, but it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I desire I can inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
Initially, it looked like things were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of contacts. Totally irrelevant material. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and restored series, even connected to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to risk another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Aggravation
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to gain access to three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wanted to like the adaptability, but everything concerning the individual experience made me seem like I needed a programmer sitting beside 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 not imagine what it resembles for a person just getting going.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed random $10 costs appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery fees through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like a budget friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me How To Sign Up For GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, constructing depend on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it resembles viewing your effort get flushed away.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your credibility, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no person informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap had not been fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– every single time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– look at the actual price.
Read the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Find individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that really functions the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, but excellent for client partnership and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t make believe or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or worse, convince your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also difficult to develop something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.