You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became one of one of the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more efficient methods to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used extra features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked okay. But then, out of no place, people on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Insects happen. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not happen below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Pricing Plans.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird places. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Intend to alter product settings, page designs, and total flow? Great– you’ll need to hunt through 3 various areas that make zero rational sense. Half the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software built by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, best?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Pricing Plans
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop 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 functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because everyone’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Select devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine objective testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your business, I’ve checked a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.