You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into among one of the most agonizing software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more efficient ways to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used more features, and all the great online marketers online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, everything looked okay. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to support. They criticized “server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Visualize waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Ad Manager.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in unusual locations. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to alter product setups, page designs, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt via 3 different areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program built by engineers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Ad Manager
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I desire someone had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real user 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 reputable, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present configuration. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.