You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of one of the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the cool marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list started getting emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Imagine getting up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my organization melted. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside Become A White-Label Customer on GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange places. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to change product setups, page designs, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest with three different locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Become A White-Label Customer on GoHighLevel
The last straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I want a person had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the current “advanced” tool. But even if everyone’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden costs are the worst. Select devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.