You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It became among one of the most unpleasant software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more efficient methods to expand your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your daily, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), supplied a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, everything looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called support. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Envision waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Pests occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my business shed. On the other hand, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
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 use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Realtors.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in odd areas. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Intend to change product setups, page layouts, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search with three different areas that make no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, ideal?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Realtors
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “cutting edge” device. But even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect honest evaluations, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual individual experience– not simply 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, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task management, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.