You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It became among one of the most excruciating software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra efficient means to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got lured in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), offered more features, and all the trendy marketing experts online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even talk about the shed performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. But then, out of no place, individuals on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted support. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Imagine waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my business melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside Do You Need Hosting For GoHighLevel.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in unusual places. Even simple 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. Want to change product settings, page layouts, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt through three various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, right?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Do You Need Hosting For GoHighLevel
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I want a person had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” device. However even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect objective testimonials, user forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I have actually examined a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.