You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more reliable ways to grow your service. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Monster pile of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, everything looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Bugs happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a min I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Do SEO.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd places. Even straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Wish to change product settings, web page formats, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll require to quest via 3 various locations that make zero sensible feeling. Half the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software built by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, right?
But here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Do SEO
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– right here’s what I desire a person had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “cutting edge” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve examined a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current setup. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.