You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It became among one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more efficient methods to grow your service. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Visualize waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every minute I spent repairing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Verified Caller ID.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in odd places. Even straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Want to change product settings, web page designs, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest with three different locations that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, appropriate?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Verified Caller ID
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I desire someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most up to date “advanced” device. However just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden prices are the most awful. Select tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your service, I have actually examined a number. Below are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not 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 really not operating in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.