You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into one of the most unpleasant software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, much more reliable ways to expand your business. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided extra features, and all the cool online marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They blamed “web server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Picture getting up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Daily Group Demo.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in odd areas. Also straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to transform item setups, page designs, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll require to quest with three different areas that make no rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, right?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Daily Group Demo
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish someone had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most up to date “advanced” tool. However just because every person’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased reviews, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.