You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got drawn in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real 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 felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered much more features, and all the awesome marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted support. They condemned “web server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Image Slider.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to alter product setups, web page layouts, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest with three different locations that make zero sensible sense. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software program constructed by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, best?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Image Slider
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I desire someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “innovative” tool. Yet even if everyone’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine honest reviews, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your service, I’ve checked a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.