You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient ways to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used a lot more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked fine. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted support. They criticized “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Picture getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can’t manage to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Pests take place. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my business melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Rest API.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd places. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to transform item setups, web page layouts, and total circulation? Cool– you’ll require to hunt with 3 various locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like using software program constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, right?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Rest API
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I desire a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the latest “innovative” device. However even if everyone’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.