You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It became among one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, much more effective means to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used more features, and all the awesome marketing experts online seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to support. They criticized “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my business burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Hotels.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange locations. Also straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to alter item setups, page layouts, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search through 3 various locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Hotels
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “cutting edge” device. But even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve checked a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.