You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among one of the most painful software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable ways to expand your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered more features, and all the great marketing professionals on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not also speak about the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked okay. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started getting emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to support. They blamed “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can not manage to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Terms and Conditions.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange areas. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to transform item settings, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt via three various locations that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Terms and Conditions
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages properly. 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 switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I desire someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” device. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Hidden expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward system to run your service, I have actually checked a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.