You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more reliable ways to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I got tempted in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just cash– 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. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Picture awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any kind of system. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Certified Lunch N Learn.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in unusual areas. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to alter product setups, web page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll need to quest with three various locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, ideal?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Certified Lunch N Learn
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” device. But even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check honest evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a number. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.