You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into among the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more reliable means to expand your company. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you recognize how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the cool marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also speak about the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting completely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Picture waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That really did not take place right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my service shed. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Opportunities.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in weird places. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Wish to change item settings, page designs, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll need to search through 3 various areas that make zero sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Opportunities
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– below’s what I desire a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.