You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more reliable means to expand your business. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest price me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked all right. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Visualize awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any platform. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not occur below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain 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 Walkthrough.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange locations. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to change product setups, page formats, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt with three various locations that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, right?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Walkthrough
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– below’s what I want somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most up to date “revolutionary” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert expenses are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually tested a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.