You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into among one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more reliable means to expand your service. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing began getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Release Radar.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird locations. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to change item settings, page formats, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll require to hunt with 3 various areas that make zero logical sense. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like using software constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Release Radar
The final straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” tool. But just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise prices are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check objective evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real user experience– not just slick 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 dependable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually examined a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.