You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more effective means to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.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 (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server concerns.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can’t manage to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my company melted. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Trial Empire1.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in strange places. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Want to transform item setups, web page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to search with three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like using software application built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Trial Empire1
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– right here’s what I desire someone had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your company, I’ve checked a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing setup. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.