You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more effective ways to grow your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the great marketing experts on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Think of getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can not afford to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my service shed. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside How Much Is GoHighLevel Worth.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in odd areas. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to alter item setups, web page formats, and general circulation? Great– you’ll need to search with 3 various areas that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like using software program constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked How Much Is GoHighLevel Worth
The last straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” device. But just because everyone’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Examine honest testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not just 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 trustworthy, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually tested a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.