You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among one of the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra efficient ways to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the great marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved count on, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Bugs occur. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not occur below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my business burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Website Hosting.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird places. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to transform item setups, web page designs, and general flow? Cool– you’ll need to quest via three different locations that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, appropriate?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire 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 actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Website Hosting
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I want a person had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. But even if every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden expenses are the worst. Select tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.