You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among one of the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra effective means to expand your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied extra features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Allow’s not also speak about the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Envision awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any system. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my business shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Google My Business (GMB).
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in weird locations. Even easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to alter product settings, web page formats, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt via three different areas that make no sensible sense. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Google My Business (GMB)
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I desire someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most up to date “innovative” device. However even if everybody’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve examined a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.