You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more effective ways to expand your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used much more features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted support. They criticized “web server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Envision getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my business shed. On the other hand, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Upsell.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange areas. Even straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Want to transform item setups, page designs, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to quest via three various locations that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like using software built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, best?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Upsell
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “cutting edge” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your business, I’ve evaluated a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.