You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into one of the most uncomfortable software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, more effective ways to expand your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), used extra features, and all the great marketing professionals on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They blamed “web server issues.” But nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Visualize waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Power Dialer.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange places. Also basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to alter product settings, web page designs, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt with 3 various locations that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program built by designers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
However below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Power Dialer
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I wish a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” device. But just because everybody’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.