So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the radiant evaluations. Read about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might replace your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) What Features Does GoHighLevel Have.
I get it. The pledge is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the idea of simplifying everything under one roof sounds like a performance desire. However let me stop you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your favored set of shoes all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned great.
I suggest, Keap dealt with everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my company. Sure, it had not been perfect, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin eyeing the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny item disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand exactly what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And before I recognized it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your agency’s whole tech pile is ruthless. I want I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a look of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental power it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your display for also long? That was my life for 2 weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Began Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I breathed out a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I woke up to a problem: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely unnecessary material. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– different sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore with the automation settings, erased and reconstructed series, also connected to support. Their reaction? “Server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No accountability. And the e-mails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to run the risk of one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are hidden in position nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. You have to gain access to 3 various arrangement panels– spread throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wanted to love the flexibility, however every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and building funnels for years. If I was battling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for somebody just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send via their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little fees that start accumulating. I discovered random $10 fees appearing– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less dependability in return.
That really felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me What Features Does GoHighLevel Have.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you know how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, constructing count on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, validated domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your reputation, your customer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Don’t Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the truth no person tells you when you’re chasing the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what jobs– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simplicity beats complexity– whenever.
An user-friendly device that does 80% well is much better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low cost– check out the actual cost.
Review the fine print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” really implies.
4. Watch out for biased reviews.
A lot of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from affiliates trying to score a commission. Find people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re looking for a system that in fact works the method it promises, inspect these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and terrific support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project management devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for customer partnership and job monitoring.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to everything. And if it worked flawlessly, I ‘d possibly be their biggest cheerleader. But it really did not. And I can’t claim or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also hard to construct something terrific. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.