You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It became among one of the most agonizing software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more reliable methods to expand your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the amazing marketers online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked all right. However after that, out of no place, people on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I called assistance. They blamed “server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Picture getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can’t manage to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my business burned. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Template Library.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual places. Even simple tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Want to alter item setups, web page layouts, and general flow? Cool– you’ll require to search via three different areas that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software built by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, right?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Template Library
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I wish a person had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the latest “cutting edge” device. Yet just because every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your service, I have actually tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.