You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among one of the most painful software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more effective means to grow your business. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your daily, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got tempted in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and often things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server issues.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Envision waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Benefits.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual places. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to alter product setups, web page layouts, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll need to hunt via three various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by engineers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, best?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Benefits
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” tool. But even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.