You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more effective means to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the trendy online marketers online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. But then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any kind of system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my organization burned. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Freight Brokers.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird places. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Wish to change product settings, web page designs, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to hunt via 3 different areas that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, ideal?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Freight Brokers
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down 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 switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I want a person had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the latest “advanced” tool. But even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check unbiased testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly system to run your company, I’ve evaluated a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.