You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into among one of the most unpleasant software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more effective means to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the trendy marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked fine. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Picture getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my organization burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Customer Service.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in odd places. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Intend to transform item setups, page designs, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt through three various areas that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Real Quick
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Customer Service
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I wish someone had told 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 “innovative” device. But just because every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect objective evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your service, I’ve examined a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.