You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It became among the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, much more effective ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got lured in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the great marketers on the internet appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They criticized “server issues.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Picture getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can not manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Roofing Company.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird places. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Want to transform item setups, page formats, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to quest via 3 various areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, ideal?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Roofing Company
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I wish a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “cutting edge” tool. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine honest reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your company, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.