So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it might change your CRM, your email marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (type of) What Services Does GoHighLevel Offer.
I get it. The assurance is appealing: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of improving whatever under one roof covering sounds like a productivity desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I succumbed to the hype. And I desire someone had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Took A Look At GoHighLevel
You ever before get that crave something new? Like when your preferred pair of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be specific. And truthfully, it worked great.
I imply, Keap took care of whatever: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was reputable. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the flashy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize exactly what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are buzzing concerning a “game-changer,” you begin questioning if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole tech pile is harsh. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I really went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And let’s not forget the psychological energy it drew out of me. You understand that worn down, brain-fried sensation after looking at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It wasn’t.
When All Of It Began Crumbling
Initially, it resembled points were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
Then– chaos.
One early morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong team of contacts. Totally pointless material. 3 days straight. And not the exact same individuals either– various sets each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, removed and reconstructed series, also reached out to support. Their response? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply maintained going out like a rogue robot on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My target market mattered excessive to run the risk of an additional error.
Bad UX = Slow Fatality by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to fine-tune a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. You have to accessibility three various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It seemed like setting up IKEA furniture without instructions. I wished to enjoy the adaptability, yet whatever regarding the individual experience made me feel like I required a programmer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from a person who ‘d been running automations and building funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can’t picture what it’s like for a person simply getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not promote plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send out with their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I observed arbitrary $10 charges turning up– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment charges with Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting way less reliability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me What Services Does GoHighLevel Offer.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any type of email marketing, you recognize just how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your checklist, building trust fund, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what took place when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, validated domain names, heated up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability devices (without much assistance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your customer experience, your profits.
However if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Test every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the reality no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, but it was solid. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– every time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% badly.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– consider the real price.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “unlimited” truly implies.
4. Look out for prejudiced reviews.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies around? They’re from affiliates trying to score a payment. Locate individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Listen to your gut.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that in fact works the way it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My leading pick. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and great support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent project monitoring devices for tiny teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, extremely structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to every little thing. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. However it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So before you study a major movement– or even worse, persuade your clients to do the very same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve functioned too difficult to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick to devices that just function.