You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It became among the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more effective means to grow your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied much more features, and all the cool marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom forms, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” However nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Imagine waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects take place. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my service burned. At the same time, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Incoming Call Timeout.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in strange areas. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Want to alter product setups, web page layouts, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt through 3 various areas that make no logical feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Incoming Call Timeout
The final straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– 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 most recent “cutting edge” tool. However just because everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire 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 evaluated a number. Here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your existing setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.