You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But 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 prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the awesome online marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done 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.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked fine. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Think of waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Bugs take place. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization shed. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Plumbers.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird areas. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to alter item setups, web page layouts, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Plumbers
The last straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. But even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise prices are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real customer experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve checked a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.