You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It became one of one of the most unpleasant software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered much more features, and all the awesome online marketers online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked alright. However then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Think of getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my service burned. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a min I had not been offering clients 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 make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Banks.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in weird places. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Intend to alter item settings, page designs, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to search via 3 various locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Banks
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I want a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. However even if every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose 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 monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your business, I have actually tested a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task administration, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.