You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among the most uncomfortable software application 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 with exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more effective means to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of devices just to run your daily, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered much more features, and all the trendy marketers online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not also speak about the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Think of waking up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That really did not occur below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Granular Permissions.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in odd areas. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to change product settings, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to quest via 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application built by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
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 been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Granular Permissions
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I desire a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the latest “advanced” device. Yet just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Select devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine honest testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.