You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into one of one of the most painful software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more effective methods to grow your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also discuss the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked fine. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to support. They criticized “web server issues.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of system. Pests happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my company shed. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Bulk Requests.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in unusual areas. Also easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to alter product settings, web page designs, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to quest via 3 various areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like using software program built by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, ideal?
However below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better e-mail 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 worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Bulk Requests
The final straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I wish someone had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the current “innovative” device. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine impartial testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve tested a number. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.