You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to switch my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of one of the most excruciating 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 dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra efficient ways to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided much more features, and all the amazing marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my entire 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 invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not also talk about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, everything looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking totally unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They condemned “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Envision awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can’t manage to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not occur here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my business melted. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside How To Sell on GoHighLevel.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird areas. Also straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to alter product settings, web page designs, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to search through 3 various areas that make no rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like using software program built by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better email 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 worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked How To Sell on GoHighLevel
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the latest “advanced” device. However even if everybody’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed prices are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check unbiased evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually evaluated a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.