You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra efficient means to grow your service. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got lured in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the awesome online marketers on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked fine. But after that, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Imagine getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my service burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Order Form.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange places. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Want to change product settings, page formats, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to search via 3 various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software program built by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Order Form
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I want somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” device. However just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check impartial evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually checked a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.