You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into one of one of the most painful software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra efficient methods to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided much more features, and all the awesome online marketers online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Think of waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Pests happen. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Lead Generation.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in odd locations. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Intend to change item settings, page formats, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll require to quest through three different areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software developed by engineers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, ideal?
But here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Lead Generation
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Examine impartial testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.