You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became one of one of the most excruciating software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more efficient ways to grow your business. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– 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 would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the cool marketing experts on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not even speak about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked okay. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Envision awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not occur right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my service burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside What Can You Do with GoHighLevel.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird locations. Even simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to transform product setups, page formats, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search with 3 various areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked What Can You Do with GoHighLevel
The last straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I want a person had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” device. However just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Examine impartial reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer 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 reliable, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.