You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It developed into one of the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, much more effective means to expand your business. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on-line seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted support. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can’t manage to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Lifetime Deal.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in strange places. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to transform item setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll need to search through 3 various locations that make zero logical feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Lifetime Deal
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my list decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I want someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the current “cutting edge” device. Yet even if every person’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your business, I’ve tested a number. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.