You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became one of the most uncomfortable software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more reliable ways to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the awesome online marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also discuss the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked fine. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking totally pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted support. They blamed “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not go away. Picture getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not occur right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my service melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Tools.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in unusual areas. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to change product settings, page layouts, and overall circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to quest through three different locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Tools
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I desire someone had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the current “advanced” tool. Yet just because everybody’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden costs are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine objective testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve tested a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.