You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into among the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more effective means to expand your organization. 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 dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your daily, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got lured in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied extra features, and all the awesome marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not also discuss the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. But then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Visualize waking up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not take place right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my company shed. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Gamification.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange locations. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to change item settings, page designs, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to search via 3 various areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Actual Fast
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better email 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 negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Gamification
The last straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I want a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real user 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 trustworthy, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.