You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into one of one of the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra efficient means to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided more features, and all the amazing marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked okay. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any platform. Bugs take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my business shed. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Certified Admin.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird areas. Also simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to transform item setups, web page layouts, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search through three various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like using software constructed by designers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, ideal?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
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 bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Certified Admin
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I want a person had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “cutting edge” device. But just because everyone’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check honest testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve tested a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.