So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) Is GoHighLevel Only For Agencies.
I get it. The guarantee is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing every little thing under one roofing sounds like an efficiency dream. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I want a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned excellent.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t best, however it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it sucked out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
Initially, it resembled things were working. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the incorrect team of calls. Entirely unimportant web content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their response? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me repaint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to love the versatility, however everything about the customer experience made me feel like I needed a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it’s like for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little costs that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up shipment costs with Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel Only For Agencies.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any sort of e-mail marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your track record, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– consider the actual price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unlimited” really means.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials out there? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Discover individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a platform that in fact works the method it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their largest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard questions. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too tough to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.