You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It developed into among one of the most agonizing software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your everyday, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and often points took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided extra features, and all the great marketing experts online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called support. They criticized “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Imagine waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any platform. Bugs take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Business Card Scanner.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange locations. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to transform item setups, web page formats, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt via three different areas that make zero rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Business Card Scanner
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the current “innovative” tool. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise costs are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real customer experience– not just 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, user-friendly platform to run your business, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.