You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into one of one of the most unpleasant software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more effective ways to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of system. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my service shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Niches.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd areas. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Intend to transform item setups, web page layouts, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll need to hunt via 3 different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, right?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Niches
The last straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I want a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the current “advanced” device. However just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.