You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into one of the most excruciating software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more reliable methods to expand your company. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your everyday, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the awesome marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not even talk about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Picture getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That really did not occur right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Early Bird Tickets.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in unusual locations. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to transform item settings, web page layouts, and overall flow? Great– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different locations that make zero sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software built by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Real Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Early Bird Tickets
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “advanced” device. However even if everybody’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the most awful. Select devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check impartial reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your company, I’ve checked a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.