You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into among one of the most painful software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
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 looking for smarter, much more effective methods to grow your business. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked all right. However after that, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days straight.
Total turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called support. They condemned “web server concerns.” However nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can’t manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel White Label Mobile App.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd places. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Want to transform product setups, web page designs, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search through three different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel White Label Mobile App
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I wish a person had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” tool. But even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the worst. Pick devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve checked a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for job management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.