You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of the most excruciating software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your service. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can not pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my business melted. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside Who Needs GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to change item settings, web page designs, and general circulation? Great– you’ll require to search through 3 various areas that make zero rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like using software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Who Needs GoHighLevel
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I wish someone had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “advanced” device. However even if everyone’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect honest reviews, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job management, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.