So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) Is GoHighLevel a CMS.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying whatever under one roof covering sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish somebody had actually gotten 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 enthusiastic beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t best, however it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I desire I can inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of contacts. Entirely unnecessary content. 3 days in a row. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, even reached out to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered way too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to access three various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, but everything regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it resembles for a person simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin piling up. I observed arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution fees with Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel a CMS.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand exactly how vital deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building count on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the fact no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– consider the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” actually implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from associates attempting to rack up a compensation. Locate people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that really functions the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration devices for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet fantastic for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t pretend or else.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked also tough to develop something terrific. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.