You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It became one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more reliable ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained lured in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used more features, and all the cool marketing experts on-line seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Think of waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Course Builder.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange areas. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to change item settings, web page layouts, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt through three various areas that make absolutely no rational sense. Half the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Course Builder
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I want somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” tool. However even if everyone’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check objective testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your company, I have actually checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.