You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to change my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra effective ways to expand your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), offered a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also talk about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, everything looked all right. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Picture getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect excellence from any system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not take place below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my business burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Xero Integration.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird areas. Even basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Want to change item setups, web page layouts, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to quest with 3 various locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software program developed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Real Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, right?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
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 good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Xero Integration
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I want a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketers)
Examine impartial reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.