You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among one of the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more efficient ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got lured in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered more features, and all the cool marketers online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, whatever looked all right. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They blamed “web server concerns.” However nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my service shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel ChatGPT.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in strange areas. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to change item setups, web page designs, and total flow? Great– you’ll need to search through 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, appropriate?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel ChatGPT
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I want somebody had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” tool. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine honest reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually tested a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current configuration. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.