You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into among the most unpleasant software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more efficient ways to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained lured in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied extra features, and all the trendy online marketers online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also speak about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked fine. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Pests take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not take place here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my business burned. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Integrate with HubSpot.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in strange areas. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to change product settings, page designs, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll require to search via three different areas that make zero rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire far better e-mail 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 good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Integrate with HubSpot
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I desire a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “advanced” device. Yet even if every person’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine honest testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your present setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.