You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into among one of the most uncomfortable software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more effective ways to grow your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used more features, and all the great marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, whatever looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Think of getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any platform. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t occur below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel $497 Pricing Plan.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird areas. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Intend to alter item setups, web page layouts, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll require to quest via 3 various locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program built by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, right?
However right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel $497 Pricing Plan
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I desire someone had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “revolutionary” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.