You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became among one of the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more reliable ways to grow your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of tools just to run your daily, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the great marketing experts on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also discuss the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. But after that, out of no place, people on my list began getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Picture waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any system. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel Real.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird areas. Even straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to alter product settings, page designs, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt with three various locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like using software developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel Real
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– below’s what I wish a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” device. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your current configuration. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.