You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It became one of the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra efficient methods to expand your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your daily, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used extra features, and all the cool online marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even talk about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called support. They criticized “server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Think of getting up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Insects occur. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my organization burned. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Roofing Snapshot.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in unusual places. Even straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to change product setups, web page formats, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to search via 3 various areas that make zero sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program constructed by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Roofing Snapshot
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the current “advanced” tool. However just because everybody’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the worst. Choose devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve examined a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job management, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.