You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more effective methods to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals on-line seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted support. They criticized “server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t occur right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my organization melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Create Snapshot.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd areas. Even simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to change item setups, web page layouts, and general flow? Great– you’ll require to quest with 3 different locations that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software application developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Create Snapshot
The final straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I want somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. Yet just because every person’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check honest evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve examined a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.