You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided much more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my business shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Headquarters.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange areas. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Intend to alter product settings, web page layouts, and general flow? Cool– you’ll need to quest via 3 different locations that make no sensible sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Headquarters
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– below’s what I wish a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the latest “innovative” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check objective evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve examined a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current setup. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.