You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more effective means to expand your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled 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 ‘d been using Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the amazing online marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, everything looked fine. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my business shed. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel JustCall.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in odd areas. Even basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to transform item settings, web page designs, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll need to search with 3 various areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel JustCall
The last straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “innovative” device. However just because everybody’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check impartial testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your service, I have actually checked a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
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 side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.