You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It became among the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra reliable means to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got lured in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny object disorder.
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 required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the awesome online marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also speak about the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, everything looked okay. But then, out of no place, people on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to support. They criticized “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Imagine awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any type of system. Bugs take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Vs Competitors.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in unusual places. Even easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to alter product setups, web page formats, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search via three various locations that make zero rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software program built by designers, for engineers– not everyday company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater 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 Vs Competitors
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I wish somebody had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the latest “innovative” device. But even if every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine objective testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve examined a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present setup. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.