You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into among the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more effective means to grow your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your daily, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered extra features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. However then, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted support. They criticized “server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel Legit.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in unusual places. Also straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to alter product settings, page formats, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to search through three different locations that make no rational sense. Half the moment, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application built by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
Yet right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel Legit
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “cutting edge” tool. However just because everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check unbiased testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I have actually checked a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for job administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.