So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) Is GoHighLevel Worth Buying.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing sounds like a productivity dream. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of shoes instantly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my company. Sure, it had not been best, but it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology pile is brutal. I want I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I in fact experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it appeared like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally unnecessary web content. Three days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My audience mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. You have to accessibility three different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furnishings without directions. I intended to love the flexibility, however every little thing about the customer experience made me feel like I required a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it resembles for a person simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little costs that begin piling up. I observed random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what resembled an economical, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel Worth Buying.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you know how important deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, constructing trust, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work obtain purged away.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t thoughtlessly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness beats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– check out the actual cost.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” truly suggests.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A great deal of the glowing endorsements around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact works the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and excellent support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful project administration devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to everything. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d most likely be their biggest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a major movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the difficult questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned as well hard to develop something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with devices that just function.