You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But 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 service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra efficient means to grow your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered a lot more features, and all the amazing marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Envision getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my business shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Integrate with Zapier.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd places. Even straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Intend to change product settings, web page layouts, and total circulation? Cool– you’ll need to quest with 3 different areas that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software built by engineers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, appropriate?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Integrate with Zapier
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I wish a person had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the latest “advanced” device. Yet even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert expenses are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased testimonials, user forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve examined a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for project administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.