You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among the most unpleasant 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 walk you with exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the cool online marketers online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, people on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Picture getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any type of system. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my service burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside Why Should I Use GoHighLevel.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in odd areas. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to alter item setups, page formats, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to quest via three various locations that make zero sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Why Should I Use GoHighLevel
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I want someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” tool. However just because everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed prices are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine honest testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I have actually tested a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.