You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It became among one of the most agonizing software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your service. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided much more features, and all the amazing online marketers on-line appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked okay. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Visualize waking up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of system. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my organization melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel GitHub.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange places. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Intend to change product settings, page layouts, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt with three different locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Half the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified 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 been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel GitHub
The last straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I wish somebody had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the latest “innovative” device. Yet just because every person’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Select devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine objective evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually evaluated a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.