You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail 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 even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also speak about the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. But after that, out of no place, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Picture awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can not manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Bugs take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my business burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel SaaSPRENEUR Program.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird places. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Want to change product settings, web page layouts, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll need to search via 3 various areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, best?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel SaaSPRENEUR Program
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I wish someone had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “innovative” device. But just because everybody’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your company, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.