You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into 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 with precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more effective methods to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used more features, and all the amazing marketers online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked alright. But after that, out of no place, people on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted support. They criticized “web server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Envision awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my company melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Mobile UI.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange areas. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to alter product setups, web page layouts, and total flow? Great– you’ll require to hunt via three different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software built by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, best?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Mobile UI
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I want somebody had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” device. Yet just because everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine objective testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not just 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 dependable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.