You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It became one of one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, much more efficient ways to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your daily, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got lured in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used more features, and all the great online marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than just cash– 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 solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can not manage to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any system. Pests happen. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my company melted. Meanwhile, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel BambooHR.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange locations. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Want to alter product settings, page designs, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt through three various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application built by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Real Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel BambooHR
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 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 listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps 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 list deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– below’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the current “innovative” device. However just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert prices are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check honest evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your service, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.