You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more reliable means to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got lured in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered much more features, and all the great marketers on-line seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized forms, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked fine. But then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted support. They blamed “web server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Pests take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For SEO.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in unusual locations. Even simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to change product setups, web page designs, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll need to search through three various locations that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by designers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, best?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For SEO
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I wish a person had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “advanced” device. However even if everyone’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed expenses are the worst. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect objective testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.