So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) Is GoHighLevel Open Source.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of enhancing whatever under one roof sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … because 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 post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire technology stack is brutal. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for as well long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Falling Apart
Initially, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Totally unimportant web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was horrified.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Web server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to risk one more screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You have to gain access to three various configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to update a single funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the versatility, but whatever concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not picture what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that begin accumulating. I observed random $10 fees popping up– then $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery charges via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel Open Source.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any type of type of e-mail marketing, you recognize exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, constructing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s precisely what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your customer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to small cost– check out the real expense.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” truly means.
4. Look out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful reviews around? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something really feels off during 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 really functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task administration tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however terrific for customer partnership and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also difficult to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that just work.