You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It turned into among one of the most unpleasant software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more effective means to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the great marketing experts on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck basic settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days straight.
Complete disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Envision waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my service burned. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For ClickBank.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd places. Also straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to transform item settings, page designs, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt with three different areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, right?
However here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For ClickBank
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “advanced” device. However just because everyone’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed prices are the worst. Choose tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your business, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.