You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among the most uncomfortable software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained lured in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and often points took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the great online marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, 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 data, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Picture waking up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Bugs take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my service burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel HVAC Snapshot.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird places. Even straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to change product settings, web page designs, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to search via three different locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel HVAC Snapshot
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “innovative” tool. Yet just because everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect honest testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve examined a lot. Here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.