You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more effective methods to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the cool online marketers online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
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 information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, everything looked okay. However then, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting completely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called support. They condemned “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t manage to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Yearly Plan.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange places. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to alter product setups, web page formats, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt via 3 different locations that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like using software built by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Yearly Plan
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “innovative” tool. However even if everybody’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine unbiased testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your organization, I have actually tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.