You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Bugs occur. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not take place here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my company melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Pipeline.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in odd locations. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to change item settings, page layouts, and total flow? Great– you’ll require to search via 3 various locations that make zero logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program constructed by designers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, best?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Pipeline
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the latest “innovative” device. However just because everyone’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check unbiased evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual user 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 service, I have actually examined a lot. Here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for job administration, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your current arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.