You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the great online marketers online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked all right. But then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted support. They criticized “server concerns.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Envision waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any type of platform. Pests happen. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my business shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Accountants.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange areas. Also straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to alter product setups, page designs, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to search with 3 various locations that make no rational feeling. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like using software built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, ideal?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Accountants
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I want a person had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the latest “cutting edge” device. Yet just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise prices are the worst. Choose devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your company, I’ve examined a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.