You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among the most painful software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more reliable methods to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), provided much more features, and all the cool marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even discuss the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted support. They condemned “server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my service melted. Meanwhile, every min I spent repairing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Certification Program.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird areas. Even basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Want to alter product settings, page designs, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to search with three different areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software program developed by designers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
But here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want far better email 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 becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Certification Program
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if every person’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine unbiased testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your business, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.