You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It became among the most unpleasant software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more effective methods to grow your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster pile of devices just to run your everyday, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the amazing marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, whatever looked okay. But after that, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Think of awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside How Does GoHighLevel Work.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in strange places. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Intend to transform item setups, web page designs, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt through 3 various areas that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
However below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked How Does GoHighLevel Work
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish someone had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “cutting edge” tool. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine impartial testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real customer experience– not simply 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 business, I’ve evaluated a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.