You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra efficient methods to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got drawn in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, everything looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Picture awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can’t manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Integrate with QuickBooks.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to change item setups, web page designs, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt through three various locations that make zero sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software program built by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, best?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Integrate with QuickBooks
The last straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I wish a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “advanced” tool. Yet even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve tested a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your existing setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.