You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable ways to expand your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered more features, and all the amazing marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not also talk about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked all right. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking totally unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Picture getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel LeadConnector.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd areas. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Intend to alter product settings, page designs, and general flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest with 3 different locations that make no logical sense. Half the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, ideal?
However here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
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 mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel LeadConnector
The final straw? Seeing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I want a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. But even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Check impartial testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve checked a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.