So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant reviews. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review exactly how it could replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) What Kind of Software Is GoHighLevel.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of streamlining whatever under one roof covering seems like an efficiency dream. However let me quit you right there … because I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this short article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll conserve you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear unexpectedly really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for many years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it worked fantastic.
I imply, Keap handled every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my service. Sure, it had not been excellent, yet it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it gets you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Mistake.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology pile is harsh. I wish I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Here’s a peek of what I actually underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task status, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not fail to remember the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried sensation after looking at your display for as well long? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a headache: 171 e-mails had actually been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Entirely pointless content. Three days straight. And not the same people either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and restored series, also connected to sustain. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No liability. And the emails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done trusting GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My target market mattered way too much to risk an additional screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Simple task, right? Except now you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in position nobody would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You need to gain access to three different setup panels– spread across the user interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furnishings without directions. I wanted to like the adaptability, but everything regarding the user experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting alongside me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not visualize what it’s like for someone simply getting going.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote clearly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I observed random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was racking up distribution charges via Mailgun, their e-mail carrier.
So what looked like an affordable, flat-rate platform? 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 really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me What Kind of Software Is GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, developing trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a high cliff, it’s like enjoying your effort obtain flushed down the drain.
That’s specifically what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domains, heated up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And because GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not advise it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, instinctive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test everything. Do not blindly rely on the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Here’s the truth nobody tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to change.
Keap had not been flashy, yet it was strong. That’s worth more than any new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– each time.
An user-friendly tool that does 80% well is better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t succumb to low prices– look at the genuine expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” truly indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the radiant endorsements available? They’re from associates trying to score a compensation. Discover individuals with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– do not ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the means it assures, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Remarkable automation, strong deliverability, and wonderful support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job monitoring devices for little teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a polished UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the solution to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. However it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a full-blown movement– or even worse, convince your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the hard inquiries. And consider whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world compromises.
You’ve functioned also hard to build something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick with devices that just function.