You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into among one of the most excruciating software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
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 always trying to find smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the thing. 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, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied more features, and all the trendy marketers online appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. However then, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m talking totally pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days straight.
Complete disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of platform. Pests occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel 5-Day Reviews Challenge.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange areas. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Want to transform product setups, page designs, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt via 3 different locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, ideal?
Yet below’s what they do not 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 payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel 5-Day Reviews Challenge
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I desire someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “innovative” device. But just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check objective testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I have actually tested a number. Below are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.