You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It became among one of the most painful 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 with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, much more efficient ways to expand your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got lured in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the amazing online marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, everything looked okay. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Insects occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur below.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Chase Buckner.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in unusual places. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to change item settings, web page designs, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll need to quest via 3 different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Chase Buckner
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish someone had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. Yet even if every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More 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 does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed prices are the worst. Pick devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketers)
Examine objective testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your business, I have actually checked a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.