You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into one of one of the most uncomfortable software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your business. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your daily, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got lured in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing experts online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
At first, whatever looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” But nothing made sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any platform. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not happen below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my service melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside What Services Does GoHighLevel Offer.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in unusual places. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Want to alter product setups, page layouts, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest through 3 various areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like using software developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, ideal?
However below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much 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 actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked What Services Does GoHighLevel Offer
The last straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I want somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “innovative” tool. But just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire 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 business, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.