You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more reliable methods to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.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 (externally), supplied a lot more features, and all the amazing marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic settings were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, everything looked fine. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I called support. They blamed “web server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on count on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Bugs take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Tree Service.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in strange locations. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to alter item setups, page formats, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt with three different locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software program built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Real Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Tree Service
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– below’s what I want someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “cutting edge” tool. However even if every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the worst. Select devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect honest testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid 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 option for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.