You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into one of one of the most excruciating software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more effective ways to expand your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the pledge of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered much more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked fine. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking totally pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. 3 days straight.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Envision waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any system. Pests take place. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my business melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel GoKollab For Communities.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird areas. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Wish to change item setups, web page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to search through 3 different locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like using software program built by designers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, ideal?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel GoKollab For Communities
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” device. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden costs are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect honest reviews, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your business, I’ve checked a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.