You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among one of the most painful software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your business. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered more features, and all the great marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, everything looked alright. However after that, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Picture getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any platform. Pests happen. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not happen right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my company shed. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Reputation Center.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in strange areas. Also basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to transform item setups, page designs, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to search via 3 different areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Reputation Center
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I desire a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect honest reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually examined a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing arrangement. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.