You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the amazing marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest price me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my entire 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 invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked fine. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can not manage to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t take place below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my organization shed. On the other hand, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel FAQs.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange places. Also basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to alter product settings, web page layouts, and total circulation? Cool– you’ll need to hunt with three different areas that make no logical sense. Half the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Actual Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel FAQs
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I desire a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. Yet just because everyone’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Check honest reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.