You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It turned into among the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered more features, and all the awesome marketing experts online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
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 migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even talk about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still taken place. I called assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Extended Trial.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd locations. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Want to alter product settings, page layouts, and total circulation? Cool– you’ll need to search via three various areas that make zero rational sense. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Real Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, ideal?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Extended Trial
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the latest “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased reviews, user forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually examined a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.