You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of the most painful software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, extra effective means to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even talk about the lost performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, everything looked all right. But then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any system. Insects happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Top Affiliates.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in unusual areas. Also simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to change product setups, page designs, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to search via 3 different locations that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, ideal?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Top Affiliates
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “cutting edge” device. However just because everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect objective testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your organization, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.