You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among one of the most excruciating software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more reliable methods to grow your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered much more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, whatever looked alright. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Imagine awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Consultants.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in odd places. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to transform product setups, page designs, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search via 3 various areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Consultants
The final straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I wish somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed prices are the worst. Select devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.