You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among the most painful software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more efficient ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the cool online marketers online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked fine. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Think of getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Digital Marketing.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in unusual locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Wish to change item setups, web page formats, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to search via three different areas that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software built by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Digital Marketing
The final straw? Seeing my email 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 called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I want someone had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “revolutionary” device. Yet even if every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine honest evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually checked a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.