You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among the most uncomfortable software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra effective methods to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your daily, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used more features, and all the great marketers on-line seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not even speak about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, everything looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Imagine waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of system. Insects take place. But when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my business burned. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Offers.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in odd locations. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Intend to transform item setups, web page layouts, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt with 3 different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software program built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
However below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Offers
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I want a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “advanced” tool. Yet just because everybody’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Check impartial reviews, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve examined a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.