You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more reliable methods to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve 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, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked alright. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Total disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called support. They condemned “web server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Imagine getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any platform. Bugs occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my company melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Fitness Trainers.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in strange places. Also basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to alter item settings, page layouts, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to quest via three different locations that make no sensible 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 constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Fitness Trainers
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I want a person had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” device. But just because everybody’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your organization, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.