You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more efficient methods to grow your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your daily, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and in some cases points took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the great marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted support. They condemned “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Imagine awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Mortgage Brokers.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd locations. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to transform item setups, page formats, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to search through three various areas that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program built by engineers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Actual Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, ideal?
But here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Mortgage Brokers
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been 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 platform– here’s what I wish a person had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” device. Yet just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check honest evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually tested a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your present setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.