You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable methods to grow your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of devices just 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 loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied extra features, and all the awesome online marketers on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even discuss the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Think of getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not occur below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Prospecting Tool.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in odd places. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to alter item setups, page layouts, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search via three various areas that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application developed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
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 whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Prospecting Tool
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I want a person had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the current “advanced” device. Yet just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check honest reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward system to run your company, I have actually tested a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your present arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.