You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra effective means to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Think of getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on count on, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my service burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel IVR.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd places. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to transform product settings, page formats, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search through three different locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software program built by designers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel IVR
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the current “innovative” device. However even if every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine objective reviews, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve evaluated a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.