You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I chose to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into one of the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more reliable methods to grow your service. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case 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 whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied much more features, and all the cool marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked fine. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I called support. They criticized “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of waking up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not take place below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my company shed. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel User Permissions.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange places. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Want to alter item settings, page layouts, and general flow? Cool– you’ll need to hunt via three various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, ideal?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel User Permissions
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine impartial reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your service, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.