You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more effective means to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got lured in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered extra features, and all the cool marketing experts on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not even discuss the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my listing started getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Think of waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my company shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Free Trial.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange locations. Also straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Intend to change item settings, web page designs, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to quest through 3 various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, appropriate?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Free Trial
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I wish someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” device. However even if everybody’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual user 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 trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.