You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into among the most agonizing software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually 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, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), provided more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the shed productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked alright. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called support. They condemned “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Envision waking up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any kind of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my service shed. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside Become a HighLeveler.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird places. Also straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Want to transform product settings, web page formats, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to quest with 3 various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like using software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Become a HighLeveler
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I want someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “advanced” tool. But even if every person’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Select devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Examine objective testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a lot. Below are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your current arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.