You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into among the most unpleasant software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra efficient ways to grow your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know 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 tempted in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used much more features, and all the awesome marketers online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even talk about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked fine. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called support. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Bugs take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my service melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel GDPR Compliance Guide.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Intend to alter item setups, web page formats, and general flow? Great– you’ll require to hunt with 3 various locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, right?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel GDPR Compliance Guide
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I wish a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the most recent “innovative” device. Yet just because every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect objective testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually examined a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.