You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into among one of the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more effective means to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the amazing marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked all right. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any kind of platform. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not happen right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Bookkeeper Playbook.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in odd areas. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to alter product setups, page designs, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll need to hunt via three different locations that make no rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by designers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Bookkeeper Playbook
The final straw? Enjoying 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 called in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I want a person had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the current “cutting edge” tool. However even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect objective testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually tested a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not 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 setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.