You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of one of the most unpleasant software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more effective methods to grow your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), offered a lot more features, and all the great online marketers online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked all right. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my service shed. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Refund.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange places. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to alter product settings, web page designs, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Refund
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish a person had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the current “cutting edge” device. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the worst. Choose devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine impartial reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.