You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into one of one of the most unpleasant software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra efficient ways to expand your company. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got enticed in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the cool marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, everything looked all right. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can not manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Gmail 2-Way Sync.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd locations. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to alter item settings, web page layouts, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest with three various areas that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software built by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, ideal?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Gmail 2-Way Sync
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I want a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the current “innovative” device. However just because everyone’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Select devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check unbiased testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve evaluated a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.