You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra efficient methods to grow your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided extra features, and all the great marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked all right. However then, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted support. They condemned “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any system. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my business melted. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Steakhouse Playbook.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird places. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Wish to change item setups, page designs, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to search through three various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the time, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like using software constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Steakhouse Playbook
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I desire someone had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. Yet even if everybody’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect honest evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire 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 company, I have actually evaluated a lot. Below are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.