You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more effective means to expand your company. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used more features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked okay. However after that, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Picture getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Bookkeepers.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange areas. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to alter item settings, web page designs, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt via three different locations that make zero sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like using software developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
But here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Bookkeepers
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I want someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the latest “revolutionary” device. However even if everybody’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Marketers)
Check impartial reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually evaluated a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for project management, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.