You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It became one of one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra reliable means to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I got lured in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used extra features, and all the trendy marketers on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked fine. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I called assistance. They blamed “server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my service burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Affiliate Agreement.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in strange areas. Even simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Wish to change product setups, web page layouts, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll require to quest via three various locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program built by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Affiliate Agreement
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “revolutionary” device. However just because everybody’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect unbiased evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not just glossy 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 trusted, user-friendly system to run your service, I have actually examined a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task management, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, 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 yourself what’s really not working in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.