You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into among one of the most agonizing software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra effective methods to grow your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used much more features, and all the cool online marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked okay. However then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can’t afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any platform. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my company burned. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Ecommerce.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in strange places. Also simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to alter product setups, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll need to search via 3 various areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Ecommerce
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” device. But even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.