You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of one of the most excruciating software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to 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 searching for smarter, much more effective means to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your everyday, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered extra features, and all the awesome marketers on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking totally pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can not manage to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Contractors.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in weird areas. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to alter product settings, page designs, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to search via 3 different areas that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software application constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much 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 outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Contractors
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I desire a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. However just because everyone’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly system to run your service, I have actually evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.