You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It became one of one of the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more efficient ways to expand your company. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got tempted in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted support. They blamed “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not take place below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my service melted. On the other hand, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside Best Deal on GoHighLevel.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird areas. Even straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to transform item settings, web page designs, and total circulation? Great– you’ll require to hunt with 3 various locations that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Best Deal on GoHighLevel
The final straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” tool. Yet even if every person’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check objective reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual customer experience– not just slick 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, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve checked a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.