You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great idea, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to switch my whole firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It became one of the most painful software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more efficient methods to expand your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided much more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Imagine getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not occur below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my service melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel GDPR Compliant.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd areas. Also simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Intend to alter product setups, page designs, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll require to quest via three different areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program built by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel GDPR Compliant
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish someone had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “advanced” device. But even if everybody’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check objective testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real user experience– not simply 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 platform to run your service, I’ve checked a lot. Here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for job administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.