You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into among one of the most painful software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more effective means to grow your business. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster pile of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketers online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked okay. But after that, out of no place, people on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called support. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Picture waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Insects take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my service melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel Safe.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird places. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to change item settings, web page designs, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search through three various areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software application built by engineers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, appropriate?
However here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel Safe
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I want a person had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” device. But even if every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert costs are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine impartial evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your service, I have actually checked a number. Below are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.