You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It became one of one of the most unpleasant software application decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more reliable ways to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your daily, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
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 required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the trendy marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked fine. Yet then, out of no place, people on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Imagine waking up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of system. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside What Does GoHighLevel Replace.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Also straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Wish to transform item settings, page designs, and general circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt through three various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more 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 Does GoHighLevel Replace
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “advanced” device. But just because everybody’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually tested a lot. Below are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your current configuration. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.