You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among the most agonizing software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra effective ways to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your daily, you know exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided much more features, and all the cool marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked fine. But then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I called support. They blamed “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Envision awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any type of system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not take place here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Number of Users.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in weird areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Wish to transform product setups, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt with three various areas that make zero logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software program constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, best?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Number of Users
The final straw? Seeing my email open rates 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 dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I wish somebody had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” device. However just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed costs are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine objective reviews, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your business, I have actually checked a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job administration, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.