You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It became one of the most painful software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more effective methods to expand your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the cool marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, everything looked alright. However then, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can not manage to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of system. Bugs take place. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my service melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel SaaSPRENEUR Mastermind.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in odd locations. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to alter item setups, web page designs, and general flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt through three different locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, ideal?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel SaaSPRENEUR Mastermind
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” device. However even if every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Marketers)
Examine unbiased reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your business, I’ve tested a number. Below are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.