You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It became among one of the most agonizing software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, more reliable methods to expand your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the cool marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Envision waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my business burned. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel SaaS Snapshot.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird places. Also simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Intend to transform item settings, page layouts, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt with 3 various locations that make no rational sense. Half the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software built by designers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel SaaS Snapshot
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “cutting edge” tool. However even if everyone’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed costs are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I’ve tested a lot. Here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.