You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of the most excruciating software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more reliable ways to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered much more features, and all the amazing online marketers online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest cost me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also discuss the shed productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. But then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Imagine getting up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t manage to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any system. Bugs take place. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That didn’t take place here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my business shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Facebook Shop.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual locations. Also basic 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 change product setups, web page designs, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt via 3 various areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like using software application built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Facebook Shop
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I wish someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. However even if every person’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Check objective reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward system to run your service, I have actually evaluated a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.