You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got tempted in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), used more features, and all the amazing online marketers online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom forms, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked all right. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I called support. They condemned “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any kind of platform. Pests occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my organization burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Reporting and Analytics.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in weird places. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Intend to change item settings, web page formats, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll require to hunt with three different areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software application constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, best?
But here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Reporting and Analytics
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– here’s what I wish someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most up to date “innovative” device. Yet just because everyone’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve checked a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.