You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became among the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more effective ways to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the great marketing professionals online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days straight.
Total turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Picture awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not take place below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my service burned. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Outbound Calls.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird places. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Want to alter item settings, web page formats, and general flow? Great– you’ll require to search via 3 different locations that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like making use of software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, ideal?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Outbound Calls
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I desire someone had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the latest “innovative” tool. But just because everyone’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check honest testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your company, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your current setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.