You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into among one of the most unpleasant software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more reliable means to expand your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked fine. However then, out of no place, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to support. They criticized “web server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Visualize awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can not manage to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my company shed. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Onboarding Call.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in weird places. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Intend to transform product settings, web page designs, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search via three different areas that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program developed by designers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Onboarding Call
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “cutting edge” tool. However just because everyone’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect honest evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.