So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) Is GoHighLevel a CRM.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roof sounds like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I wish a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I indicate, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been ideal, but it was reputable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is harsh. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally irrelevant content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored series, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered too much to risk an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint 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. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You need to access 3 different arrangement panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to love the versatility, yet whatever regarding the user experience made me feel like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t imagine what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery charges via Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less reliability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel a CRM.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get purged down the tubes.
That’s specifically what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for affordable price– check out the genuine price.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Find people with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a system that in fact works the means it assures, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the difficult questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too hard to build something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.