You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among the most excruciating software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more reliable means to expand your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied a lot more features, and all the amazing online marketers on-line seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also speak about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They condemned “server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Imagine waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Dream Vacation Contest.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in strange places. Also straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to transform product settings, web page formats, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll need to search via three different areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like using software program built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, best?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Dream Vacation Contest
The final straw? Seeing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I want somebody had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” tool. But even if everybody’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden costs are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial reviews, user forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.