You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It became among one of the most excruciating software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got tempted in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided extra features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also speak about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not go away. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside What Does GoHighLevel Do.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in strange areas. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to alter item setups, page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt with 3 various locations that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, ideal?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked What Does GoHighLevel Do
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. However just because everyone’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check unbiased testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual 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 trusted, straightforward platform to run your company, I’ve examined a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.