So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (sort of) What Are The Disadvantages of GoHighLevel.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system sounds like a productivity desire. However let me stop you right there … since I fell for the buzz. And I wish somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned fantastic.
I suggest, Keap managed whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t perfect, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you know precisely what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is brutal. I desire I could tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glimpse of what I in fact underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the mental energy it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after staring at your screen for also long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Began Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong group of get in touches with. Entirely pointless content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore with the automation setups, deleted and rebuilt series, even connected to support. Their reaction? “Web server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the emails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of one more error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Aggravation
Let me paint you an image. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Basic task, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to access 3 different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like assembling IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to enjoy the adaptability, but everything about the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was having a hard time, I can not picture what it resembles for somebody simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t advertise clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their email company.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining method much less integrity in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me What Are The Disadvantages of GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of email marketing, you understand how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, building trust fund, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re trying to find something steady, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
But if you’re still curious, at least share your eyes wide open. Test everything. Don’t blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Below’s the reality no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what jobs– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% badly.
3. Do not succumb to low prices– look at the actual expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually implies.
4. Watch out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the radiant endorsements around? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a compensation. Locate people with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something 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 actually works the means it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful task management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, but wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it worked faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can not claim otherwise.
So before you dive into a major migration– or worse, encourage your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked as well tough to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.