So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Is GoHighLevel GDPR Compliant.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving everything under one roofing seems like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked wonderful.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I wish I might inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glimpse of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the e-mails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to take the chance of another screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to gain access to 3 different setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to like the flexibility, yet whatever concerning the customer experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means less reliability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel GDPR Compliant.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, developing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, but it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– consider the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” truly means.
4. Look out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to rack up a commission. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a platform that in fact functions the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Outstanding automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however great for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to everything. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned too difficult to build something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that just function.