You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more efficient means to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), used extra features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked alright. However after that, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can’t manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of system. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my organization shed. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside How To Migrate Your Online Course From Kajabi To GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd areas. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Wish to transform item settings, page layouts, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt via 3 different areas that make no sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, best?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked How To Migrate Your Online Course From Kajabi To GoHighLevel
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I desire someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” device. However even if every person’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check impartial testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your existing arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.