You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of one of the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra effective means to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used extra features, and all the cool marketing experts online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense 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 generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked okay. But after that, out of no place, people on my listing began getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called support. They criticized “web server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Imagine getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Pests happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Chiropractors.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird places. Also simple tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Want to alter item setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to search with three different locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, appropriate?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Chiropractors
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play detective while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– right here’s what I desire somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most recent “cutting edge” device. However even if everyone’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect objective reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your existing configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.