You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra effective means to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Envision waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can not afford to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Folders.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange places. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to transform item setups, page formats, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt with 3 various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, ideal?
Yet 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 invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Folders
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I wish somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “innovative” device. However even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine impartial reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.