You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It became among the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster pile of tools just to run your everyday, you recognize how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I got lured in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the awesome marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called assistance. They condemned “server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my organization burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent repairing was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Forex.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd areas. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to alter item settings, web page designs, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt through 3 various areas that make no sensible feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, best?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Forex
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I wish someone had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if everyone’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Check honest evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual 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 reliable, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.