You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among the most painful software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Picture getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service shed. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Automate Google Reviews.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in unusual places. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Wish to change item settings, page layouts, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest via three different areas that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like making use of software program built by designers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, appropriate?
However right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Automate Google Reviews
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I want somebody had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the current “innovative” device. Yet even if everyone’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect objective reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve checked a lot. Here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.