You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more efficient ways to expand your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster pile of devices just to run your daily, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the amazing marketers on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked fine. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That really did not happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my service burned. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Auto Payouts Via PayPal.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in strange locations. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Want to transform product settings, page formats, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to hunt via 3 different locations that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software constructed by designers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Auto Payouts Via PayPal
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– below’s what I want someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” device. But even if every person’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert prices are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Examine objective reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I have actually examined a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.