You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in reality? It became one of the most excruciating 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 walk you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more reliable ways to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing experts online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. But after that, out of no place, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Imagine waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Certified Directory.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Intend to change item setups, web page layouts, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest with 3 various areas that make zero sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
However right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Certified Directory
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “revolutionary” device. However even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed costs are the worst. Choose devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect honest evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of 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 trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your company, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your present setup. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.