You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into among the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more reliable ways to grow your service. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked all right. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called support. They criticized “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Think of waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Bugs take place. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my service melted. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Do Not Disturb (DND).
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Even straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to transform item settings, web page formats, and general flow? Great– you’ll need to search via 3 various areas that make no sensible sense. Half the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want far 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 outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Do Not Disturb (DND)
The final straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will save you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually examined a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.