You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more effective methods to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the awesome marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. However then, out of no place, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking totally pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted support. They criticized “web server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Picture waking up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not happen here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my company burned. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Privacy Policy.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in unusual areas. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Wish to change product settings, web page designs, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt with three different areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program developed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
But here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Privacy Policy
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– below’s what I wish a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” device. But just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward system to run your service, I have actually examined a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.