You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into one of the most agonizing software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra reliable methods to expand your company. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your everyday, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied extra features, and all the awesome marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, everything looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Picture awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my organization melted. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel E-Commerce Stores.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd places. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Intend to transform item settings, page designs, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt with three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel E-Commerce Stores
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I desire someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” device. But even if every person’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the most awful. Select tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve examined a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.