You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more efficient methods to expand your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered more features, and all the great online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Imagine getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my service shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant 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 Wedding Planners.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in strange places. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to alter item setups, web page designs, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt via 3 various areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application developed by designers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, ideal?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Wedding Planners
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 engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I want a person had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” device. Yet just because every person’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check unbiased testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your business, I have actually examined a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.