You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into one of the most unpleasant software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what dropped– 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 such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used a lot more features, and all the cool marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked fine. Yet then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Imagine waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of system. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my service shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel 5 Day AI Challenge.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in weird areas. Also straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Want to transform item settings, page layouts, and total circulation? Great– you’ll require to hunt via three different locations that make zero rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software application constructed by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel 5 Day AI Challenge
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the latest “revolutionary” device. However even if everyone’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually tested a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.