You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among the most unpleasant software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. But then, out of no place, people on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Picture waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can’t manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my service melted. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Recruitment Firms.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd areas. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to transform product setups, web page formats, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to quest with 3 various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like using software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, right?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Recruitment Firms
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the latest “advanced” device. But even if everybody’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your business, I have actually checked a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.