So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) What Is GoHighLevel Used For.
I get it. The guarantee is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining everything under one roofing seems like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I desire a person had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this article, I’m walking you through my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, read this initial. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear instantly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I would certainly been utilizing Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked terrific.
I indicate, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Certain, it had not been perfect, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I begin looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you understand specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin asking yourself if you’re missing out. And before I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Changing: What It Actually Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your company’s entire tech stack is harsh. I want I can inform you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a glance of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a lots automations from scratch– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I informed myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When Everything Started Breaking Down
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were real-time. I exhaled a little.
After that– mayhem.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the incorrect team of contacts. Entirely unimportant content. 3 days straight. And not the very same people either– different sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, deleted and restored series, also connected to support. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No liability. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered way too much to risk another error.
Bad UX = Slow Death by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Easy job, right? Except currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in places nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to accessibility 3 various arrangement panels– scattered across the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I wanted to like the flexibility, but whatever regarding the customer experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t envision what it resembles for somebody simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I discovered arbitrary $10 costs popping up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was racking up shipment fees through Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like a budget-friendly, flat-rate system? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and obtaining method less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me What Is GoHighLevel Used For.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of email marketing, you recognize how important deliverability is. You spend years supporting your checklist, building trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates leave a cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work obtain purged down the drain.
That’s precisely what happened when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I modified subject lines, confirmed domain names, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your reputation, your consumer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Don’t thoughtlessly trust the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s an excellent factor to switch.
Keap had not been showy, but it was strong. That deserves more than any type of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% terribly.
3. Do not fall for low prices– consider the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “unlimited” really implies.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A great deal of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from associates attempting to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to get.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a system that actually works the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent job management tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. However it really did not. And I can’t act or else.
So prior to you dive into a full-scale movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned too difficult to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.