You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among the most painful software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more reliable ways to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your everyday, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the lost performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, whatever looked fine. However after that, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Picture awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any type of system. Insects occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my business melted. At the same time, every minute I spent repairing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel TikTok Lead Forms.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd areas. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Want to change item settings, page designs, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search through three different locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like making use of software application built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, appropriate?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel TikTok Lead Forms
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– below’s what I desire a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. However just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check unbiased evaluations, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve examined a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for job management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.