So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it can change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) What Does GoHighLevel Offer.
I get it. The promise is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roof covering sounds like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … because I succumbed to the buzz. And I want a person had ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of migraines.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap handled every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my company. Certain, it had not been best, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demonstrations and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire technology pile is ruthless. I desire I might tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glimpse of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological power it sucked out of me. You understand that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will deserve it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
Initially, it appeared like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of contacts. Totally pointless material. Three days in a row. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, erased and restored series, also connected to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just kept going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Frustration
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. You have to gain access to 3 various setup panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without guidelines. I intended to like the flexibility, however everything concerning the customer experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was battling, I can not visualize what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out with their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that start accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 fees turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting method less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me What Does GoHighLevel Offer.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you know how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your list, constructing trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles watching your effort obtain flushed away.
That’s specifically what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Mistakes).
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 wasn’t fancy, yet it was solid. That’s worth more than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– consider the genuine cost.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” truly suggests.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A great deal of the radiant reviews around? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Locate people with nothing to obtain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re seeking a platform that actually functions the method it guarantees, inspect these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic job administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, however 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 answer to whatever. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So prior to you study a major movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the very same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too tough to build something fantastic. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with tools that just work.