You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more effective methods to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the cool marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my list began getting emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my company shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Calendly Event Importer.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in weird locations. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to alter product setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search via 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like using software program built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Actual Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, right?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Calendly Event Importer
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the current “revolutionary” tool. But just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed costs are the worst. Choose tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Examine honest testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real individual experience– not just slick sales web 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 service, I have actually tested a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may 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 jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.