You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It became among one of the most unpleasant software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more efficient methods to expand your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster pile of tools just to run your daily, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and often points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used more features, and all the cool marketers on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. But then, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Imagine waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Insects happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Google Calendar Integration.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in odd places. Also straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Wish to transform item setups, web page layouts, and total flow? Great– you’ll need to hunt via 3 various locations that make no rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Google Calendar Integration
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most up to date “innovative” tool. But just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I have actually tested a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive 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 current configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.