You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used much more features, and all the cool marketing experts online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also speak about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking completely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted support. They criticized “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Think of getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That really did not occur here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into deep space while my service burned. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Voicemail.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in weird areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Want to change product settings, web page designs, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll require to search via three different locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like using software developed by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more 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 Voicemail
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I want a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the latest “advanced” device. However just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect impartial evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I’ve examined a number. Below are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your current arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.