You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into among the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra effective ways to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of tools just to run your daily, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided more features, and all the cool marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They blamed “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Envision waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved trust fund, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside How To Get GoHighLevel For Free.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in unusual areas. Also simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Wish to change product settings, page layouts, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search via three various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software program constructed by designers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, best?
But here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked How To Get GoHighLevel For Free
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I wish someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check impartial testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your business, I’ve tested a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current setup. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.