You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into one of one of the most excruciating software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more reliable means to grow your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used more features, and all the amazing marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur right here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my organization shed. At the same time, every minute I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Unified Inbox.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in unusual locations. Also straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to change product settings, web page layouts, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to search via three different locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, ideal?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Unified Inbox
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I wish somebody had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the latest “cutting edge” tool. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually examined a number. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.