You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became among one of the most unpleasant software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got drawn in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied more features, and all the awesome online marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. Yet then, out of no place, people on my list began getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Imagine 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 built on trust fund, you can’t afford to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my company melted. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Booking.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange places. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to alter product setups, page designs, and general circulation? Great– you’ll require to hunt via 3 different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much better e-mail 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 just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Booking
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” tool. However even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply slick 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 dependable, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.