You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into one of one of the most excruciating software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra effective methods to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used extra features, and all the great marketing experts on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Think of waking up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any kind of platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Family Lawyer Playbook.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in unusual areas. Even straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to alter item settings, page formats, and general flow? Cool– you’ll require to search through three various areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Half the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like using software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Family Lawyer Playbook
The final straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I desire a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. Yet even if every person’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the most awful. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine honest reviews, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual individual experience– not simply 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 reliable, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.