You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of one of the most painful software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more effective ways to grow your company. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied much more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, 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 moving information, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom forms, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Insects take place. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my organization burned. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Outlook Integration.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird places. Also easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to change product setups, web page formats, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll require to search through three different areas that make no rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like using software program built by engineers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Outlook Integration
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– here’s what I want a person had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” tool. But even if every person’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Pick devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check objective testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your business, I’ve examined a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.