You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became among one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting completely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Imagine awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Facebook Pixel.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual locations. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Want to change item setups, page designs, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search via three various areas that make zero rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program built by engineers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Facebook Pixel
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect objective evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your company, I’ve examined a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.