You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient ways to expand your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your daily, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine 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 Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied extra features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked okay. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my business melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Calendar Sync.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd locations. Even basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Intend to alter product settings, page formats, and general circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt with 3 different areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, right?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Calendar Sync
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “cutting edge” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check honest evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your company, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.