You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I chose to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It became among the most uncomfortable software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra efficient means to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained lured in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used more features, and all the cool online marketers on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Insects happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Calendly Integration UI.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in strange places. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to transform product settings, page formats, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to quest through 3 various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program constructed by designers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, best?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Calendly Integration UI
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the current “advanced” device. Yet even if every person’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.