You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became one of the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more effective ways to grow your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got lured in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the great online marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” However nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Imagine awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any system. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization melted. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Healthcare Providers.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in unusual areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to transform product settings, web page designs, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll need to quest through 3 various areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software developed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Healthcare Providers
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “innovative” tool. Yet just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine objective evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I have actually checked a number. Below are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.