You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It became among one of the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra efficient methods to grow your company. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your daily, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), provided more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked fine. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called support. They condemned “web server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Picture getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside What Is GoHighLevel Used For.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in unusual locations. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to alter product setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to search via 3 various locations that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software application constructed by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, ideal?
But here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked What Is GoHighLevel Used For
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– below’s what I want somebody had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “innovative” device. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise costs are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check objective evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually evaluated a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.