You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It became one of the most unpleasant software 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 through precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more efficient ways to grow your business. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied extra features, and all the awesome online marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted support. They condemned “web server issues.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Imagine waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my organization melted. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Salons.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange areas. Even basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to transform item setups, page layouts, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to search through three various locations that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, appropriate?
However right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Salons
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “innovative” device. But just because every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed costs are the worst. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.