You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra effective methods to expand your service. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered much more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked okay. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Think of getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can not manage to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my company burned. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Gyms.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in weird areas. Even easy 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 obtain me began. Want to change item setups, page designs, and overall flow? Great– you’ll need to hunt via 3 different locations that make zero sensible sense. Half the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, best?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Gyms
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– here’s what I want somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” tool. But even if every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed prices are the worst. Choose devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual user experience– not just slick 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 organization, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.