You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into one of the most painful software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more reliable ways to expand your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your daily, you recognize how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I called support. They blamed “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into deep space while my organization melted. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a minute I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Robin Alex.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in strange places. Even straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to transform product setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Great– you’ll need to search through 3 different areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software program built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Robin Alex
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” device. However even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Check objective reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just glossy 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 dependable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.