You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into one of the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, extra reliable methods to expand your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), used much more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking totally unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” However nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Onboarding Checklist.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd areas. Also straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to change item setups, page layouts, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll require to search with three different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software constructed by designers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
However here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Onboarding Checklist
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Select devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually examined a lot. Below are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.