You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into one of the most painful software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more effective means to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained lured in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), provided extra features, and all the amazing marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m speaking totally pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Think of awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my organization burned. At the same time, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel AI Tools.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd areas. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to transform product setups, page designs, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to quest via 3 different areas that make zero sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, right?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel AI Tools
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– here’s what I want a person had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the latest “advanced” device. But just because every person’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check unbiased testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive 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 really not working in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.