You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among one of the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more effective means to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered more features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Think of getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every minute I spent repairing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside How Does GoHighLevel Pay You.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual areas. Also simple tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Want to transform product settings, page layouts, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll need to quest with three different locations that make zero sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like using software constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked How Does GoHighLevel Pay You
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I desire someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the latest “innovative” device. However just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect impartial testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your service, I’ve tested a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.