You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into one of the most excruciating software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra reliable methods to grow your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I got tempted in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real 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 felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used extra features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, whatever looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted support. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any type of system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my company burned. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Smart Webchat Widget.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in strange locations. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Intend to alter product setups, page layouts, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest through 3 various areas that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, best?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Smart Webchat Widget
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the most recent “innovative” tool. But even if everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check objective testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward system to run your organization, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.