You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into one of one of the most unpleasant software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more effective methods to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the great marketing experts online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not even discuss the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, everything looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, people on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking totally pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not go away. Think of getting up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any platform. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That really did not take place below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Conversation AI.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual places. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to change product setups, web page designs, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll need to search via three various areas that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like using software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Conversation AI
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 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. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I desire a person had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the latest “innovative” tool. Yet just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Check honest evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.