You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into among the most excruciating software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra reliable ways to grow your business. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the cool marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called support. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Visualize waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any platform. Pests happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my company melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Gym Playbook.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in unusual places. Even straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to transform item setups, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to quest with three various locations that make no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program built by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Gym Playbook
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– below’s what I wish someone had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” tool. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine impartial reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually checked a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.