You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into among the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more efficient methods to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and often points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied extra features, and all the cool marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not also talk about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Visualize awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my organization shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Group Buy.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange locations. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to change product setups, page layouts, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll require to search with three different locations that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Group Buy
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I want somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the latest “cutting edge” device. However even if every person’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed expenses are the worst. Select tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine objective reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually tested a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.