You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into among one of the most agonizing software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more reliable means to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your daily, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, everything looked okay. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my service melted. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Rocket.net.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in weird locations. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to transform item settings, page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll need to quest through three various locations that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by designers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, ideal?
But here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Rocket.net
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I desire a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” device. But even if every person’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect unbiased evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your company, I’ve evaluated a lot. Below are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.