You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more effective methods to grow your company. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your everyday, you know exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the awesome marketing experts online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom forms, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They blamed “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Visualize awakening every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside Can You Sell Physical Products on GoHighLevel.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird places. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to transform product settings, web page layouts, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt via three various areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, right?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Can You Sell Physical Products on GoHighLevel
The final straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I want a person had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the current “advanced” tool. But even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.