You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered more features, and all the trendy online marketers online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, whatever looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting completely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my service melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Number Pool.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in odd locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to transform item settings, page layouts, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to search through 3 various areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software application built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, ideal?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
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 math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Number Pool
The last straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I wish somebody had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. However even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Choose devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.