You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It became one of one of the most unpleasant software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra efficient means to expand your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not even discuss the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked okay. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking totally unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They blamed “server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Envision getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my service shed. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Customer Support.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd areas. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to change item setups, web page formats, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to quest via 3 various areas that make no logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, right?
But here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Customer Support
The final straw? Watching my e-mail 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 over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– here’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” device. However even if everybody’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine impartial reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve tested a number. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.