So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the radiant testimonials. Read about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it might replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Who Needs GoHighLevel.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful dashboard to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the idea of improving everything under one roofing system sounds like a productivity dream. Yet let me stop you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the buzz. And I want somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from hopeful starts to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration 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 before obtain that itch for something new? Like when your preferred set of footwear unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what took place to me. I would certainly been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be precise. And honestly, it functioned fantastic.
I mean, Keap took care of every little thing: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it wasn’t ideal, yet it was reliable. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, yet it gets you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Due to shiny item syndrome. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize precisely what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog owners are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Changing: What It Really Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s entire tech pile is harsh. I desire I could inform you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Right here’s a glance of what I really underwent:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Reconstruct a lots automations from scratch– things like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Relocated every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When It All Started Crumbling
In the beginning, it appeared like things were functioning. Automations were shooting. Emails were heading out. Funnels were online. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I awakened to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent out to the wrong group of calls. Completely pointless content. 3 days straight. And not the same individuals either– various sets each time. I was horrified.
I tore via the automation settings, erased and rebuilt series, even reached out to support. Their reaction? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No necessity. No responsibility. And the emails just maintained going out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My target market mattered too much to take the chance of another screw-up.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me paint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no person would realistically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. You need to accessibility 3 different configuration panels– scattered throughout the interface– to update a solitary funnel.
It felt like setting up IKEA furnishings without guidelines. I wished to love the versatility, but everything concerning the customer experience made me seem like I needed a designer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was struggling, I can’t visualize what it resembles for a person simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise plainly: GoHighLevel fees per e-mail you send via their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that begin accumulating. I noticed arbitrary $10 fees popping up– after that $20 … after that $50. Ends up, I was acquiring delivery fees through Mailgun, their e-mail service provider.
So what resembled an inexpensive, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining means less dependability in return.
That felt unethical. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Who Needs GoHighLevel.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any sort of email marketing, you know just how important deliverability is. You invest years supporting your list, building trust, tweak subject lines. So when your open prices drop off a cliff, it resembles viewing your hard work get flushed down the tubes.
That’s precisely what happened when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open rates dropped from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I fine-tuned subject lines, validated domains, warmed up IPs– you name it. Still nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
Then, I couldn’t validate staying. I pulled the plug and returned to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I would not recommend it. Not if you’re searching for something stable, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your track record, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at the very least share your eyes wide open. Test whatever. Do not blindly trust the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Right here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been showy, however it was solid. That deserves more than any new feature.
2. Simplicity defeats intricacy– whenever.
An intuitive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t succumb to small cost– check out the genuine cost.
Review the small print. Ask about deliverability charges. Know what “endless” truly indicates.
4. Watch out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the glowing testimonies around? They’re from associates trying to rack up a payment. Find people with nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your intestine.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re trying to find a platform that really works the method it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, strong deliverability, and great assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with terrific task management tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a sleek UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, yet great for customer collaboration and job tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, super streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the solution to every little thing. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their greatest supporter. But it didn’t. And I can’t act or else.
So before you dive into a major migration– or even worse, convince your clients to do the same– breathe. Ask the difficult concerns. And consider whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world compromises.
You have actually worked as well hard to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with devices that simply function.