You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more efficient means to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your daily, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the great online marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the shed productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” But nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Imagine waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my business melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure 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 Email Campaigns.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange areas. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to change product setups, web page designs, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest through three different areas that make no rational sense. Half the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software built by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Email Campaigns
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the latest “innovative” device. But even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check objective testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve examined a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.