So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (type of) Is GoHighLevel Worth It.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving every little thing under one roof seems like a performance desire. But let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I desire a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously considering making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes suddenly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t excellent, however it was reputable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is harsh. I wish I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Restore a loads automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the mental energy it drew out of me. You understand that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
At first, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– disorder.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Totally unnecessary content. Three days in a row. And not the very same people either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt series, also connected to support. Their action? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything important. My target market mattered way too much to take the chance of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in places no one would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the versatility, yet everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a developer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start piling up. I discovered random $10 charges appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution charges through Mailgun, their email service provider.
So what appeared like an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel Worth It.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you understand just how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles enjoying your effort get purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t justify staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re looking for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your credibility, your customer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the fact no person informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent reason to change.
Keap wasn’t showy, however it was strong. That’s worth greater than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– every time.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to affordable price– look at the actual price.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies available? They’re from associates trying to score a commission. Locate individuals with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re searching for a platform that actually functions the method it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Outstanding automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring tools for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a sleek UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, but great for client collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, super structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked perfectly, I ‘d probably be their greatest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So prior to you study a major movement– or even worse, convince your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned as well tough to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just work.