You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable methods to grow your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of devices just to run your everyday, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the shed productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Picture awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can not manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any system. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my business melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Media Library Revamp.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird areas. Also simple tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to alter item settings, page formats, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll require to search through 3 various areas that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Media Library Revamp
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play detective while my list decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the latest “innovative” tool. However even if everyone’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current configuration. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.