So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Is GoHighLevel a Public Company.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of streamlining whatever under one roof covering seems like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes instantly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I imply, Keap managed whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was trustworthy. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy item disorder. Yep. It’s real. 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 wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s entire tech stack is harsh. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of contacts. Entirely unnecessary content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to risk one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no one would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to gain access to three different configuration panels– spread across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without instructions. I wished to enjoy the versatility, yet everything regarding the user experience made me seem like I needed a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it resembles for a person just beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees with Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel a Public Company.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any type of type of email marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like watching your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality nobody tells you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– look at the real cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” really suggests.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the glowing reviews out there? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the way it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet excellent for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their largest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-scale migration– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned as well tough to construct something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.