You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable methods to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained lured in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used extra features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not also talk about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any kind of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my service melted. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel JavaScript.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird areas. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Intend to change item settings, web page layouts, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt via three various areas that make zero sensible sense. Half the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application built by designers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, best?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel JavaScript
The final straw? Watching my email open rates 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 things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. Yet just because everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply 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 constantly far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Choose tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.