You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more reliable ways to expand your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the great marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked all right. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved count on, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any system. Bugs happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my service shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Headline Font.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to alter product setups, web page designs, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to quest through three various locations that make zero rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software built by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Real Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, best?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Headline Font
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the current “cutting edge” tool. But even if everyone’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Check honest reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not just 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 system to run your service, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.