You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among one of the most agonizing software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more effective ways to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your daily, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the cool marketing experts on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, everything looked alright. However then, out of no place, people on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” But nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Visualize waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen below.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into deep space while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel URL Shortener.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange places. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to transform product settings, web page formats, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to search with 3 different areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like using software program built by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, right?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel URL Shortener
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I want somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “advanced” device. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the most awful. Select devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check honest evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.