You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among one of the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra effective methods to grow your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the lost performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server concerns.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Pests happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my organization shed. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel House Cleaning Playbook.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual areas. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Want to alter product setups, page layouts, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll need to hunt with 3 various areas that make no sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software application constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, ideal?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel House Cleaning Playbook
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I want a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the current “innovative” device. But just because everyone’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise costs are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.