You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It developed into one of the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more effective methods to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the trendy online marketers online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, everything looked fine. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They condemned “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Webhooks.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird places. Also simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to transform product setups, web page formats, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to quest via three different locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software built by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, right?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Webhooks
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” tool. However just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Choose tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually checked a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for job management, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for 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– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.