You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into one of the most unpleasant software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more efficient means to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster pile of tools just to run your daily, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used much more features, and all the awesome marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also discuss the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked okay. However then, out of no place, people on my listing began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Think of getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any system. Insects happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my service burned. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Feedback.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd locations. Also simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Want to transform product setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different areas that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program built by designers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, right?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Feedback
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I want a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” device. Yet even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed prices are the worst. Select devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased reviews, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job administration, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.