You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among the most painful software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable ways to expand your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” However nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Envision 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 count on, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my business melted. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Outbound Calling.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd locations. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to alter product setups, web page formats, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt through three different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software application built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, right?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Outbound Calling
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I desire a person had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the latest “advanced” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert costs are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine impartial reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward system to run your service, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job management, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present setup. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.