So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing reviews. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Read just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) What Are The Features of GoHighLevel.
I get it. The assurance is alluring: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of enhancing whatever under one roofing seems like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from hopeful beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favored set of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And truthfully, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap handled everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been excellent, however it was reliable. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start eyeing the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy item syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I recognized it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole tech stack is ruthless. I desire I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours fiddling with settings and screening workflows.
And let’s not neglect the psychological power it drew out of me. You know that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Breaking Down
In the beginning, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were online. I exhaled a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I got up to a problem: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of get in touches with. Totally pointless web content. Three days straight. And not the exact same people either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their response? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered way too much to run the risk of one more error.
Poor UX = Slow Death by Disappointment
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make good sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You need to access three various setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to enjoy the flexibility, but whatever about the user experience made me seem like I needed a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 charges appearing– then $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring distribution costs via Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what looked like a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting method much less integrity in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me What Are The Features of GoHighLevel.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of email marketing, you recognize exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your listing, building trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And considering that GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much support), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not justify staying. I disengaged and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Right here’s the truth no person informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, however it was strong. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– every single time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– take a look at the genuine price.
Read the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “endless” actually implies.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Discover individuals with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a platform that actually functions the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Amazing automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific project management devices for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— More project-focused, however excellent for client cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it didn’t. And I can’t act otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or worse, persuade your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the difficult concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned too hard to build something fantastic. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to devices that simply function.