So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) Pabbly GoHighLevel.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying everything under one roofing system seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I indicate, Keap handled whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t excellent, however it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you know specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re losing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s entire tech stack is brutal. I desire I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for as well lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Totally unimportant material. Three days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and restored sequences, also connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of one more screw-up.
Poor UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to gain access to 3 various setup panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to like the flexibility, however everything regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a developer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for years. If I was battling, I can not envision what it’s like for someone simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start piling up. I saw arbitrary $10 charges appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up distribution charges through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Pabbly GoHighLevel.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any kind of kind of e-mail marketing, you know how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your list, building depend on, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a high cliff, it resembles enjoying your hard work get purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
Then, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re trying to find something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the reality no one informs you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s an excellent reason to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That’s worth greater than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for low cost– look at the genuine price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” really indicates.
4. Watch out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant reviews around? They’re from associates attempting to score a commission. Find individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that actually functions the method it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Amazing automation, solid deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job administration tools for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can not make believe otherwise.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned also difficult to develop something terrific. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with devices that simply function.