You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into one of the most painful software application choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra reliable methods to grow your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used more features, and all the cool marketers on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Envision waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of system. Insects occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Branded Desktop App.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in unusual places. Even straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to transform product setups, page designs, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to quest with three various areas that make zero sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Branded Desktop App
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I desire somebody had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the latest “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because everybody’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey 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 yourself what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.