You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It developed into among the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more reliable ways to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my business shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Phone System.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Also simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to change product setups, page formats, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt via three different areas that make no rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, right?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Phone System
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” tool. However even if every person’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your organization, I have actually examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.