You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into one of one of the most painful software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, much more efficient ways to grow your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on-line appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also discuss the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked fine. However then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called assistance. They criticized “server issues.” However nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Picture awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects take place. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my organization burned. At the same time, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Mortgage Lenders.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in unusual locations. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Intend to transform product settings, page designs, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to quest via three various locations that make zero sensible feeling. Half the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software application constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, ideal?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Mortgage Lenders
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” device. But even if every person’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually tested a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.