You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among one of the most painful software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more efficient means to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your everyday, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
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 scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied more features, and all the amazing online marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, everything looked fine. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called support. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Imagine awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can not afford to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For SaaS.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd locations. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to alter product settings, web page formats, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search via three various locations that make no logical sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software built by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, ideal?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For SaaS
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– here’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the current “innovative” tool. Yet just because every person’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect unbiased evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.