You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into one of the most excruciating software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more efficient methods to expand your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of system. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my service burned. On the other hand, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Calendar Integration.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird areas. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to transform item setups, page designs, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to search with 3 different locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, right?
But here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Calendar Integration
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I wish a person had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “innovative” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Check unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just glossy 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, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually checked a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.