You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into one of the most agonizing software application decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra reliable methods to expand your service. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted support. They condemned “server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Think of getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Community Events.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Intend to change product setups, web page formats, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt with 3 different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Community Events
The final straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I desire someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise costs are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve checked a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.