You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It became one of the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more effective ways to grow your company. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even speak about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They criticized “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Open Source.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in strange places. Also straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to transform product setups, page formats, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search through three various areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, best?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Open Source
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– right here’s what I desire someone had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the latest “innovative” tool. Yet just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your business, I have actually examined a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.