So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Read how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) What Does GoHighLevel Replace.
I get it. The guarantee is alluring: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roofing system sounds like an efficiency desire. But let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
Due to glossy things syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand precisely what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Cost of Changing: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I wish I might tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from scratch– things like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task condition, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and testing workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it resembled points were working. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– disorder.
One morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Completely pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt sequences, even connected to support. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No accountability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to take the chance of another error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re attempting to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone simply beginning.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per email you send out via their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and obtaining means much less reliability in return.
That felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me What Does GoHighLevel Replace.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of sort of email marketing, you understand exactly how essential deliverability is. You spend years supporting your listing, building trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it’s like viewing your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s specifically what happened when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open rates fell from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, confirmed domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And because GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at stake– your online reputation, your client experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the fact no one tells you when you’re chasing after the following “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been flashy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Monster platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– take a look at the genuine expense.
Read the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful endorsements available? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that actually functions the method it guarantees, check these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Remarkable automation, solid deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific job administration tools for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet terrific for client partnership and task tracking.
Bonsai— Constructed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the answer to every little thing. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their most significant supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or worse, convince your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the hard questions. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve worked too difficult to develop something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that simply work.