You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It became among one of 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 through specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra effective ways to expand your business. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of tools just to run your daily, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the cool marketers online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, everything looked all right. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting completely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Total turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called support. They criticized “web server concerns.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Envision getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Pests occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my service shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Query Key.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird locations. Even easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to transform product settings, page formats, and total flow? Great– you’ll need to search via three different locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software application built by designers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Query Key
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I want somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “innovative” device. However just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your company, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.