You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I chose to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into one of the most unpleasant software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more effective ways to expand your service. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got lured in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied extra features, and all the amazing marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck basic settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called support. They blamed “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Picture getting up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my company shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside Branded Client Portal in GoHighLevel.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird areas. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to alter product setups, page formats, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest with 3 various locations that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, appropriate?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Branded Client Portal in GoHighLevel
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I want a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the most recent “advanced” tool. But even if every person’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check objective testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your service, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.