You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It developed into one of the most excruciating software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more effective methods to grow your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your daily, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the great marketing experts on-line appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days straight.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They condemned “server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Envision waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any platform. Bugs occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t take place right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Internationalization.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird areas. Also basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to transform product setups, web page designs, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to quest via 3 different areas that make no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, ideal?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Internationalization
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. But even if everybody’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward system to run your service, I’ve tested a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.