You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among the most unpleasant software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more effective methods to grow your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. However after that, out of no place, people on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Picture waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up fast.
That really did not happen here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my service shed. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Have A CRM.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in unusual locations. Also basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Want to transform item setups, web page formats, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to hunt via three different areas that make zero sensible feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, ideal?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Have A CRM
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “cutting edge” tool. But even if every person’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect impartial reviews, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually examined a number. Right here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.