You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more reliable methods to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the trendy marketing experts on-line seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can’t pay for to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of system. Bugs take place. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my company burned. At the same time, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside Can I Use GoHighLevel without Stripe.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd areas. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Wish to alter item setups, web page layouts, and general flow? Great– you’ll need to quest via three various locations that make no logical feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like using software application developed by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, appropriate?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
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 good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Can I Use GoHighLevel without Stripe
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. However even if every person’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.