So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Found out about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Who Is The CEO or Co-Founder of GoHighLevel.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the idea of improving everything under one roof sounds like an efficiency desire. However let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I desire somebody had ordered me by the shoulders and stated: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of an experience with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll conserve you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something new? Like when your favored pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you may remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– 5, to be specific. And honestly, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap managed everything: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the method I ran my business. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was trustworthy. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, but it obtains you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy object disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Rate of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s entire tech stack is ruthless. I wish I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was running on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 get in touches with from Keap (manually).
- Reconstruct a dozen automations from scratch– points like onboarding, email series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job status, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used close to 40 hours adjusting settings and testing workflows.
And allow’s not fail to remember the psychological power it drew out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried sensation after staring at your screen for also lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This discomfort will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When It All Began Crumbling
In the beginning, it resembled things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
After that– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect group of calls. Totally unnecessary content. 3 days straight. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and restored sequences, even connected to sustain. Their feedback? “Server issue.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No accountability. And the e-mails simply maintained heading 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 screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a picture. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in places nobody would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different setup panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It seemed like constructing IKEA furnishings without directions. I wished to enjoy the flexibility, but every little thing about the individual experience made me seem like I required a designer sitting alongside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can not picture what it resembles for a person just starting.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Below’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send out through their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little fees that start accumulating. I saw arbitrary $10 charges popping up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment fees via Mailgun, their e-mail company.
So what looked like an economical, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting means less dependability in return.
That felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Who Is The CEO or Co-Founder of GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– Which Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of sort of e-mail marketing, you understand just how vital deliverability is. You invest years nurturing your listing, constructing trust, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a cliff, it’s like viewing your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to hardly scratching 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And given that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
Then, I could not warrant staying. I disengaged and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at stake– your track record, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
However if you’re still interested, at the very least go in with your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Found Out (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Below’s the fact no person tells you when you’re going after the following “all-in-one” device:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good factor to switch over.
Keap wasn’t flashy, but it was strong. That deserves greater than any type of new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats complexity– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low cost– consider the real price.
Check out the small print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” really indicates.
4. Keep an eye out for biased reviews.
A lot of the glowing testimonials around? They’re from affiliates attempting to score a payment. Locate people with absolutely nothing to get.
5. Pay attention to your intestine.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re searching for a platform that in fact functions the method it promises, check these out:.
Keap– My leading choice. Incredible automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic support.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with fantastic task monitoring devices for tiny groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Ideal if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for client collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for consultants and creatives. Super clean, very structured.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their most significant supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend otherwise.
So before you study a major movement– or worse, encourage your customers to do the same– take a breath. Ask the tough concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world compromises.
You have actually functioned also hard to build something excellent. Don’t risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick to tools that simply work.