You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of one of the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra efficient means to grow your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your daily, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and often points took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests take place. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my business burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Zapier Integration.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to transform product setups, page formats, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest via 3 various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like using software application constructed by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, best?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Zapier Integration
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I desire someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” device. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your organization, I’ve examined a number. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.