You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into one of the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more effective means to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even discuss the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my company shed. On the other hand, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Refresh Snapshot.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd places. Even straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to alter product setups, page formats, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest through 3 different locations that make zero rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software program constructed by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, ideal?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Refresh Snapshot
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I want someone had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” device. Yet even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine honest testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your company, I’ve checked a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.