You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, only to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into one of one of the most uncomfortable software application 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 precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more effective methods to grow your company. 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 come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your daily, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I obtained lured in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied more features, and all the amazing online marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even talk about the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked all right. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my service melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel HIPAA Compliant.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to change item setups, page formats, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt through 3 different locations that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel HIPAA Compliant
The final straw? Enjoying 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 simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. However even if every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check honest testimonials, user forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually examined a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.