You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It developed into one of one of the most unpleasant software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra reliable means to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked all right. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list started getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Pests take place. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That really did not occur here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my business shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Affiliate Commander Program.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird areas. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Wish to change item settings, web page layouts, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search via 3 different areas that make no logical sense. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, ideal?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Affiliate Commander Program
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “innovative” tool. However even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually tested a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.