You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra effective means to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained lured in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used extra features, and all the cool marketers online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” However nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my business burned. Meanwhile, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Law Firms.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange places. Also simple 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 get me started. Want to transform product setups, web page formats, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to quest through 3 various locations that make zero sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better e-mail 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 worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Law Firms
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the current “innovative” device. However just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine honest reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your company, I’ve examined a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.