You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into one of one of the most excruciating software application choices I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable methods to grow your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted support. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Payment Gateways.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Intend to change product setups, web page layouts, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt through 3 different locations that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, best?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Payment Gateways
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I want somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” device. However just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective reviews, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your service, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.