You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became one of one of the most painful software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, more reliable ways to expand your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied extra features, and all the great marketing experts on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That really did not happen right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested repairing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Quick Wins.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in strange locations. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Intend to transform item setups, page formats, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt through 3 various areas that make no logical sense. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Quick Wins
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– here’s what I want a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. However even if every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check honest evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually tested a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for job administration, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.