You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among the most painful software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra efficient methods to grow your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided extra features, and all the great marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked fine. However then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They condemned “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Picture getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any kind of platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Brand Boards.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in unusual locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Wish to alter product setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to search via 3 various locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software constructed by designers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Brand Boards
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– below’s what I want somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” device. Yet even if everyone’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden costs are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your organization, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your present setup. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.