You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into one of one of the most excruciating software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more effective methods to grow your business. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Envision waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any platform. Bugs happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Security Response.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird places. Also basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to transform item setups, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to search with three various areas that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, best?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Security Response
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I want somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most up to date “innovative” device. But just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check unbiased evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply slick 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, user-friendly system to run your company, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.