You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more efficient methods to expand your company. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your daily, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked okay. But then, out of no place, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside What Are The Features of GoHighLevel.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd locations. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Intend to alter item settings, web page formats, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest via three different locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, ideal?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked What Are The Features of GoHighLevel
The final straw? Viewing 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 things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I desire somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the most recent “revolutionary” device. However even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check impartial testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your service, I’ve examined a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit 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, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.