You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more effective methods to grow your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used extra features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked fine. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the problem really did not go away. Envision waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Insects happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That really did not occur below.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my company shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Sign Up.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Intend to change item setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to search via three different locations that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software built by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
However right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Sign Up
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I wish somebody had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” tool. However even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually evaluated a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.