You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more efficient methods to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked fine. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my business melted. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Plans.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange places. Even easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to transform product settings, page formats, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest with three different areas that make no logical feeling. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software application built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, best?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
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 just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Plans
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– below’s what I want a person had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job administration, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.