You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, only to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more reliable means to grow your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used extra features, and all the cool marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity price me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even discuss the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. But then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Zoom Integration.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in strange places. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Wish to alter item setups, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt through three various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software application developed by designers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, best?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Zoom Integration
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the latest “innovative” tool. But even if every person’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real customer 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 trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your company, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.