You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, more reliable means to grow your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got enticed in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and often things took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked fine. Yet then, out of no place, people on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my business shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Email Marketing.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in weird locations. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Want to change product setups, page designs, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to search through three different areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like using software application developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, right?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Email Marketing
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I want somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually checked a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.