You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became among the most unpleasant software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more efficient ways to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the great online marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Think of waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any system. Pests take place. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Square Payment Integration.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange areas. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Want to transform item settings, web page layouts, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt with three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software developed by engineers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Square Payment Integration
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I wish a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” device. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect honest testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just 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 dependable, easy to use platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.