So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) Is GoHighLevel Worth The Investment.
I get it. The promise is alluring: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving everything under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency dream. But let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had actually ordered me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this post, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this very first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear instantly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned terrific.
I mean, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it had not been excellent, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Changing: What It Really Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is harsh. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, project status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent to the wrong team of calls. Entirely pointless web content. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and reconstructed sequences, also reached out to sustain. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to risk one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Basic job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. You need to accessibility 3 various configuration panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to like the adaptability, but everything concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a programmer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it resembles for somebody just getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little costs that start accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was racking up delivery costs through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like an affordable, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is GoHighLevel Worth The Investment.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of sort of e-mail marketing, you know just how vital deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, developing depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices leave a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much assistance), I was left playing email live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– take a look at the genuine price.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “limitless” really implies.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A lot of the radiant testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to score a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really functions the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– take a breath. Ask the hard inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well difficult to develop something fantastic. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply function.