You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, extra efficient ways to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Monster stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided much more features, and all the great marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Picture getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any type of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my business melted. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel a CRM.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird locations. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to transform product setups, page layouts, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt with three various locations that make zero sensible sense. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software application built by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, appropriate?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
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 good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel a CRM
The last straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” device. Yet just because everyone’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect honest reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your company, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.