You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, much more reliable means to grow your company. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got tempted in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also discuss the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into deep space while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel AI Agent.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird places. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to alter product setups, page designs, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt through 3 different locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel AI Agent
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I desire someone had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine unbiased reviews, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user 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 trusted, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.