You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among the most unpleasant software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered extra features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They condemned “web server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Visualize waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can not afford to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not take place here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Snapshots For Sale.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange locations. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to transform item setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt with three different areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like using software constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, appropriate?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Snapshots For Sale
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I want someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. But just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user 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 trusted, straightforward platform to run your company, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project administration, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.