You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It became among one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more reliable methods to grow your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, whatever looked all right. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Total turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel WhatsApp Integration.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in strange places. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Want to transform item settings, page designs, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search through 3 various areas that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel WhatsApp Integration
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I desire somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check objective reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your business, I’ve checked a lot. Here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.