You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of one of the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you recognize how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used extra features, and all the great marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. But then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They criticized “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Picture getting up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Insects take place. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Shipping.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in unusual places. Also simple tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to transform item setups, page designs, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt through 3 different areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software program built by engineers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, best?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Shipping
The last straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play detective while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I want someone had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “innovative” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect honest reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want 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 have actually tested a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job management, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.