You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into one of the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more effective means to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the great marketing experts on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not also discuss the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can’t pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my service shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Paulson Thomas.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird places. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to transform product settings, web page designs, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt via 3 various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program built by designers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, best?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Paulson Thomas
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I desire a person had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “innovative” tool. But even if every person’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect honest reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your organization, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.