You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It became among one of the most painful software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, much more reliable means to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I got enticed in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used extra features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a 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 concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Visualize awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my service shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Demo Video.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in strange areas. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to transform item setups, web page designs, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt via three different areas that make no logical feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software program built by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Real Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, best?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Demo Video
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– here’s what I wish someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually examined a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project administration, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.