You recognize that feeling 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 took place when I made a decision to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among the most uncomfortable software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your company. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your daily, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), provided much more features, and all the great online marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. However then, out of no place, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Picture awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Pests take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my business burned. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel A2P 10DLC.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange places. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Want to transform item setups, page designs, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest via 3 various locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software constructed by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel A2P 10DLC
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I desire somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” device. However just because every person’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine impartial testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve tested a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.