You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into among one of the most agonizing software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more reliable methods to grow your service. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered much more features, and all the awesome marketers online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at once. Three days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted support. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Pests take place. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my organization shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Desktop App.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd areas. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to change product setups, page layouts, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt with three different areas that make no rational sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program constructed by designers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Desktop App
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish someone had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most up to date “innovative” tool. But just because everybody’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.