You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used extra features, and all the great online marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the shed performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, whatever looked alright. However then, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted support. They blamed “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my organization shed. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel ManyChat.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird locations. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Want to alter item setups, web page formats, and total flow? Cool– you’ll need to hunt through 3 different areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software application developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire far better e-mail 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 bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel ManyChat
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I want somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the current “advanced” tool. However just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check honest testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually tested a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey 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 yourself what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.