You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of one of the most excruciating software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more effective ways to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided more features, and all the trendy marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest price me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not also speak about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked fine. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of system. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel a Public Company.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in unusual places. Even simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to alter product settings, web page layouts, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest via 3 various areas that make no rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like using software built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Actual Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, ideal?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel a Public Company
The last straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed prices are the most awful. Select tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine honest reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual 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, easy to use system to run your service, I have actually checked a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your existing setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.