You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I chose to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among the most uncomfortable software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more efficient methods to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained lured in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the great marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest price me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even discuss the shed efficiency during 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 simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked fine. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any kind of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Trainers.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird places. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Intend to change product setups, web page designs, and general circulation? Great– you’ll require to hunt through 3 various locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Trainers
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I want someone had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because everybody’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketers)
Check unbiased evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve tested a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.