You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra efficient means to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Monster pile of devices just to run your daily, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained lured in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Think of getting up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my business burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding 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 make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Membership Site.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Want to alter item setups, page layouts, and general flow? Great– you’ll require to quest via 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Half the time, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, right?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Membership Site
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “innovative” device. Yet even if every person’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Check honest reviews, user forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your company, I’ve tested a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
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 edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.