So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read just how it could change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Is GoHighLevel PCI Compliant.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying everything under one roof covering seems like a performance dream. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored set of footwear unexpectedly really 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 specific. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I imply, Keap dealt with every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it wasn’t best, however it was reliable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Changing: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I want I could inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your display for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and rebuilt series, also reached out to sustain. Their feedback? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to take the chance of an additional screw-up.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Frustration
Let me paint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to gain access to 3 various configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to enjoy the versatility, yet everything about the individual experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t envision what it’s like for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I saw random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means much less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel PCI Compliant.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, developing count on, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re searching for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent factor to change.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– consider the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unrestricted” actually suggests.
4. Look out for prejudiced evaluations.
A lot of the beautiful reviews available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Locate individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re searching for a system that in fact works the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task administration devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown migration– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also difficult to build something great. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply function.