You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of one of the most uncomfortable software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity expense 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, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked all right. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking totally pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They blamed “server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any platform. Bugs take place. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Email Pricing.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in odd places. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Want to change product setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to search via 3 various locations that make zero sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Email Pricing
The last straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I want somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” device. However just because everybody’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check unbiased testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your business, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.