You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among one of the most unpleasant software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more reliable means to grow your company. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your daily, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the cool online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Envision getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my service burned. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Customer Testimonials.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in weird locations. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Want to alter item setups, page layouts, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to quest via 3 different areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, ideal?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Customer Testimonials
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– here’s what I want a person had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the latest “cutting edge” device. But just because everybody’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check honest testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your service, I have actually checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.