You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into one of the most agonizing software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more reliable means to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got drawn in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also talk about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Picture awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of system. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my organization melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a min I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Test Card.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to transform item setups, page formats, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt through three different locations that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application built by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, appropriate?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Test Card
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I want someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “advanced” device. However even if every person’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually checked a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job administration, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.