You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It turned into among the most excruciating software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more efficient means to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered a lot more features, and all the great online marketers online appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted support. They criticized “web server issues.” However nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my organization shed. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside Boost Your SEO with GoHighLevel.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd locations. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to alter product setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Great– you’ll require to search with 3 different locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software program developed by designers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, ideal?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Boost Your SEO with GoHighLevel
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– right here’s what I wish someone had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “advanced” device. But even if every person’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the worst. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine impartial evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present setup. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.