You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more efficient ways to grow your company. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of devices just to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied much more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked fine. But then, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted support. They criticized “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Visualize waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Tasks.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in unusual areas. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Intend to change item setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Great– you’ll require to search with three various locations that make no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Tasks
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “advanced” device. However even if everybody’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will save you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial testimonials, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually examined a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.