You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more effective methods to grow your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked fine. However then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking totally pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I called support. They condemned “server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Imagine getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization melted. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Multi-Step Form.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird places. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to alter product setups, web page layouts, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to quest with three different areas that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Multi-Step Form
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I desire a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the current “innovative” tool. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve tested a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job administration, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.