You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became among the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra efficient ways to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied much more features, and all the cool marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked okay. However then, out of no place, people on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Envision getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my service shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Partners.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird areas. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to transform item settings, page formats, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt through 3 different areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software application built by engineers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, right?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Partners
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– right here’s what I desire a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” device. But just because everybody’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check unbiased reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your business, I’ve checked a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.