You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It turned into one of the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more effective methods to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I got drawn in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered more features, and all the amazing marketers online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. However then, out of no place, people on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Visualize awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my organization shed. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Documentation.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in odd places. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to transform item setups, web page layouts, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt through three different areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, ideal?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Documentation
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the current “innovative” tool. However just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect objective reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire 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’ve examined a number. Here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.