You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among the most agonizing software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra efficient methods to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got tempted in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the great marketing experts on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Imagine waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved count on, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Two-Factor Authentication.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in odd areas. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Intend to change item settings, page formats, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest through 3 various areas that make no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software application built by designers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, best?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Two-Factor Authentication
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 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 nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I desire a person had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the latest “innovative” tool. But just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check honest testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.