You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of one of the most unpleasant software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra reliable methods to grow your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained lured in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the cool marketers online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. Yet then, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect excellence from any kind of system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my service shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Troubleshooting Tool.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird areas. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to alter item setups, web page layouts, and overall flow? Great– you’ll need to search with 3 different areas that make no logical feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, appropriate?
But here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Troubleshooting Tool
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– here’s what I desire someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” tool. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine impartial reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually tested a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your current configuration. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.