You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of one of the most unpleasant software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more effective means to expand your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied more features, and all the amazing marketers online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. However after that, out of no place, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Envision waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Pests take place. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Facebook Ads.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in unusual areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to transform product setups, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt via 3 various locations that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software built by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, appropriate?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Facebook Ads
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I want someone had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “advanced” device. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.