You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into one of the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more efficient ways to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied a lot more features, and all the trendy online marketers online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked okay. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not take place here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Marketplace.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd locations. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to change item settings, web page designs, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to quest with 3 various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
However below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Marketplace
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I want somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the latest “innovative” tool. Yet just because everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the worst. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Check objective testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually checked a lot. Here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.