So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Is GoHighLevel Free.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of streamlining every little thing under one roof seems like a performance dream. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want a person had actually gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I indicate, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, yet it was dependable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology pile is brutal. I want I can inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it drew out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of calls. Completely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I wanted to love the flexibility, yet whatever concerning the user experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was struggling, I can’t imagine what it’s like for somebody simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that begin accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 fees appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment costs via Mailgun, their email provider.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel Free.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort get purged down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, but it was solid. That’s worth greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every single time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– consider the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “limitless” actually suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that really works the means it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however fantastic for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, incredibly structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their greatest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked too difficult to build something wonderful. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that just work.