You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more effective means to expand your company. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked fine. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Imagine waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can not pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects happen. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That really did not take place right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my company shed. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside Import ClickFunnels To GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in strange places. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to alter product setups, web page designs, and general flow? Great– you’ll require to quest through 3 various locations that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software program developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, appropriate?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Import ClickFunnels To GoHighLevel
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I want somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the current “cutting edge” device. But just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the worst. Pick tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.