You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It became among one of the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
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 always searching for smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your company. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining 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 had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking totally unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They condemned “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Imagine awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Bugs occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside Hospitality GoHighLevel Snapshot.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in unusual areas. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Wish to change item setups, web page layouts, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to search with three different locations that make no rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
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 results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Hospitality GoHighLevel Snapshot
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the current “cutting edge” tool. However just because everyone’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect honest reviews, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your service, I’ve tested a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.