You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, more reliable methods to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest price me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Envision awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Insects happen. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my business burned. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside How Many Websites Can You Host on GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in unusual places. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to change product settings, page designs, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt through three various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software program built by engineers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, best?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked How Many Websites Can You Host on GoHighLevel
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– below’s what I wish a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if everybody’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your company, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, 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 on your own what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.