You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into one of one of the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump 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 always seeking smarter, extra effective methods to grow your service. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained lured in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked fine. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing started getting emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Picture waking up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can not manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my service burned. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside Who Owns GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in weird places. Even straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to change product settings, page formats, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search with three various locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software application developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Real Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more 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 Owns GoHighLevel
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– right here’s what I want someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “innovative” tool. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden prices are the worst. Select devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your organization, I have actually checked a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.