You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It became one of the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable means to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got drawn in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked all right. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted support. They blamed “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can’t manage to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Bugs happen. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my service burned. At the same time, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Google LSA Booking Integration.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Intend to transform item settings, web page designs, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll require to quest with 3 different locations that make zero sensible feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Google LSA Booking Integration
The last straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. However just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Marketers)
Examine impartial evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually tested a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.