You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into one of the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your daily, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I got lured in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used much more features, and all the amazing marketers online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, everything looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Think of getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That really did not occur below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Ecommerce Snapshot.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange locations. Even easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Intend to change product settings, web page designs, and general flow? Cool– you’ll need to hunt through three various areas that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software program constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, appropriate?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Ecommerce Snapshot
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I wish a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the current “advanced” tool. Yet even if every person’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine objective evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually tested a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your current setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.