You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It became one of the most painful software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more effective means to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your everyday, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), used more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck basic settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted support. They criticized “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any platform. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Joyce Boss.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird locations. Also basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to transform item setups, web page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest through three different areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program built by designers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Joyce Boss
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I wish someone had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” tool. However just because every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect objective reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually examined a lot. Here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job administration, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific 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 end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.