You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It became one of the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, more efficient ways to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really 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. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking totally unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They condemned “server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Envision awakening every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into deep space while my business melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Clone WordPress Sites.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in strange places. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to alter item settings, page formats, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search with 3 different areas that make zero rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Real Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, appropriate?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Clone WordPress Sites
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I want someone had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine impartial testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your organization, I have actually examined a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task management, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.