You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became among the most uncomfortable software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more effective methods to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance 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 every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Picture waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any system. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur right here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my business burned. At the same time, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Order Bump.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird areas. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Intend to transform product settings, page designs, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to quest through three various locations that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software application built by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Order Bump
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. However just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve examined a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.