So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Is GoHighLevel Real.
I get it. The pledge is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving everything under one roof covering sounds like a productivity dream. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had gotten me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of shoes all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be precise. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I mean, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my business. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was dependable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I desire I might inform you I just clicked a button and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a lots automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it sucked out of me. You know that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Crumbling
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a problem: 171 emails had actually been sent to the incorrect team of contacts. Entirely irrelevant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their response? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re attempting to tweak a workflow. Easy task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 different configuration panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to enjoy the versatility, yet every little thing regarding the customer experience made me seem like I required a developer 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 battling, I can not envision what it’s like for somebody just getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’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 tricky little fees that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution fees through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel Real.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Final stroke
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your list, developing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact nobody informs you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive 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 cost.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the radiant reviews out there? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Incredible automation, strong deliverability, and terrific assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet excellent for client cooperation and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. But it really did not. And I can’t claim otherwise.
So before you study a full-scale migration– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked too tough to construct something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to tools that simply function.