You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I made a decision to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to support. They criticized “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Imagine waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my business melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Merge Fields.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in odd places. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to transform product setups, page layouts, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search through three different areas that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program developed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, appropriate?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Merge Fields
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I want somebody had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “innovative” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert prices are the worst. Select devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect impartial evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not just 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 service, I have actually examined a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.