So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Possibly you have actually seen the radiant testimonials. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Read exactly how it could change your CRM, your email marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Who Owns GoHighLevel.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving everything under one roof seems like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … since I succumbed to the hype. And I wish somebody had actually gotten me by the shoulders and claimed: “Don’t do it.”
In this article, I’m strolling you with my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a full 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of frustrations.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Checked Out GoHighLevel
You ever obtain that itch for something brand-new? Like when your preferred pair of footwear all of a sudden really feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– 5, to be exact. And honestly, it worked excellent.
I mean, Keap managed every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the way I ran my business. Certain, it had not been ideal, but it was trusted. Like an excellent old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you need to go without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the flashy new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of shiny object syndrome. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook teams, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are buzzing about a “game-changer,” you start asking yourself if you’re missing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demonstrations and reasoning, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your firm’s whole technology stack is harsh. I wish I might tell 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 actually experienced:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a loads automations from square one– points like onboarding, email sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, task standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent near to 40 hours fiddling with setups and testing workflows.
And allow’s not forget the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that tired, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks directly.
I informed myself, “This pain will certainly be worth it.” It had not been.
When All Of It Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like things were functioning. Automations were firing. Emails were going out. Funnels were live. I exhaled a little.
After that– chaos.
One early morning I awakened to a headache: 171 e-mails had been sent out to the wrong team of get in touches with. Entirely irrelevant web content. Three days in a row. And not the very same individuals either– various batches each time. I was frightened.
I tore with the automation setups, erased and reconstructed sequences, even connected to sustain. Their reaction? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the emails simply maintained heading out like a rogue robotic on autopilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything vital. My audience mattered excessive to risk an additional error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Basic task, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that do not make good sense. Labels aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position no one would practically look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. You have to gain access to three different configuration panels– scattered across the interface– to upgrade a solitary funnel.
It felt like putting together IKEA furniture without directions. I intended to like the adaptability, however every little thing concerning the individual experience made me feel like I required a designer sitting beside me 24/7.
And this is originating from a person who had actually been running automations and constructing funnels for many years. If I was having a hard time, I can not imagine what it’s like for somebody simply beginning.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they don’t promote clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are tricky little costs that begin piling up. I saw random $10 costs turning up– then $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring distribution charges through Mailgun, their e-mail provider.
So what resembled a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was investing greater than I did on Keap– and getting means less integrity in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Who Owns GoHighLevel.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Straw that broke the camel’s back
If you do any kind of type of e-mail marketing, you know just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your listing, constructing depend on, make improvements subject lines. So when your open prices leave a high cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain purged down the drain.
That’s exactly what took place when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to hardly scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promotions folders. And since GoHighLevel relies upon third-party deliverability tools (without much guidance), I was left playing email roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t warrant staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Utilize GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t suggest it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your credibility, your consumer experience, your profits.
But if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth 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 reason to change.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats complexity– each time.
An instinctive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% severely.
3. Do not fall for low prices– take a look at the real expense.
Check out the fine print. Ask about deliverability fees. Know what “limitless” actually means.
4. Keep an eye out for prejudiced evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from affiliates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re trying to find a system that really functions the means it assures, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and wonderful assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great job administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quick.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and task tracking.
Bonsai— Developed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the response to everything. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d possibly be their largest cheerleader. However it really did not. And I can’t make believe otherwise.
So before you study a full-blown movement– or even worse, encourage your clients to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” dream deserves the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also difficult to develop something great. Do not risk it on a system that still seems like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to devices that just work.