You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It became among one of the most excruciating software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more reliable ways to expand your service. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your everyday, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days straight.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” However nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Think of waking up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my company melted. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Chat Widget.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in odd locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Intend to change item settings, web page layouts, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest with 3 various locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, ideal?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want much 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 worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Chat Widget
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most up to date “innovative” tool. But just because everybody’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your service, I have actually evaluated a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.