You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became one of one of the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more reliable means to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your everyday, you understand just how appealing 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 lured in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided more features, and all the cool online marketers on the internet appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server concerns.” However nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Picture getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Insects take place. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Hiring.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange areas. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Want to change product settings, web page layouts, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest through three different locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like using software developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Hiring
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the current “innovative” device. Yet even if every person’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check unbiased reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use platform to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.