You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of one of the most excruciating software application decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more effective ways to expand your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), offered more features, and all the amazing marketing professionals online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on count on, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my service burned. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Restaurants.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in strange locations. Also easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to alter product setups, page designs, and general circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search through three various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software constructed by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, ideal?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Restaurants
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I want someone had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the current “innovative” tool. But even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial reviews, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for job administration, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.