You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I determined to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of the most excruciating software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more reliable means to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), offered more features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked all right. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I called support. They condemned “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Envision getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That really did not take place right here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my business burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Cyber Week Promotion.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd places. Even easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to transform product setups, page layouts, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt with 3 various areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, right?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Cyber Week Promotion
The last straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I desire somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the latest “innovative” device. But even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the worst. Pick devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real 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 reliable, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job management, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.