You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into among the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, much more efficient means to grow your business. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof.
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 damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even talk about the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Think of getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved count on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Pests take place. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Trigger Links.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd locations. Also simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to alter product setups, page designs, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt via three various locations that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, ideal?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Trigger Links
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I desire someone had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.