You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained lured in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
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 Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used extra features, and all the awesome online marketers online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not also talk about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Pests occur. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel HTTP Requests.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in weird locations. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to alter product settings, web page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest through three various areas that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, right?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel HTTP Requests
The last straw? Watching my email 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 things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “revolutionary” tool. But even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your service, I have actually tested a lot. Here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.