You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra effective means to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and often things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the great marketing professionals on-line seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
At first, whatever looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started getting emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Envision waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any platform. Pests take place. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Host Websites.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange locations. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to change product settings, page layouts, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to search with 3 different areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Real Quick
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Host Websites
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most up to date “advanced” device. Yet just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t mean 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 system with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply 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 system to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.