You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got lured in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided extra features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Bugs occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Live Chat.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird areas. Also straightforward tasks 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 started. Intend to alter item settings, web page designs, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll need to search via three various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like using software built by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, ideal?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Live Chat
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I wish someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the current “advanced” tool. However even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect impartial evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not just 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 trusted, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually tested a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your present setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.