So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) Is GoHighLevel a MLM.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of simplifying everything under one roofing system seems like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked great.
I suggest, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology pile is harsh. I want I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Breaking Down
Initially, it resembled points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely unnecessary web content. Three days straight. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation setups, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their response? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Easy task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. You need to accessibility 3 different setup panels– scattered across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, yet whatever about the user experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it’s like for somebody simply starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel a MLM.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified 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 tools (without much advice), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That deserves greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– consider the actual price.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” actually implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Find people with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, solid deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project monitoring tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t pretend otherwise.
So prior to you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked as well tough to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply work.