You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of the most agonizing software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more efficient methods to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied much more features, and all the trendy marketing experts online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck basic settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked all right. But then, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted support. They blamed “server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect perfection from any system. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Reviews.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in weird areas. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to alter item setups, page layouts, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search through three different areas that make absolutely no rational sense. Half the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software application built by designers, for engineers– not everyday company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, appropriate?
But here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Reviews
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “innovative” tool. However even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect impartial testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your company, I’ve tested a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.