You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more effective methods to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied much more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even discuss the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking completely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They blamed “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Think of waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not take place here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Amateurs.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird locations. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Want to transform product setups, web page layouts, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software application built by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, right?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want 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 getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Amateurs
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– here’s what I wish someone had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. Yet just because everybody’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine objective evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your service, I have actually tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.