You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It became among one of the most unpleasant software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra effective means to expand your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got drawn in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Visualize waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my organization melted. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel IP Protected Snapshots.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd locations. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Intend to alter item settings, page designs, and general flow? Cool– you’ll need to search via three different locations that make zero logical sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software application developed by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel IP Protected Snapshots
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most up to date “innovative” device. However just because everybody’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect unbiased reviews, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.