You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software application decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra efficient means to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your daily, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the cool online marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not go away. Envision getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects take place. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my organization shed. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t 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 Does GoHighLevel Have A Website Builder.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in unusual locations. Also simple tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Want to transform product setups, web page designs, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to quest with three various areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software application built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Have A Website Builder
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I want somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “advanced” device. Yet even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Select tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check honest reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve checked a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.