You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into among one of the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more reliable means to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your daily, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied extra features, and all the awesome marketers online appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not also talk about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked fine. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted support. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Envision waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Google Meet.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in weird locations. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to transform item setups, page layouts, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt through three different locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like using software application developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, appropriate?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Google Meet
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I desire somebody had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. However even if every person’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save 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 ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check objective reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve tested a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.