You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your daily, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals online appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Pests take place. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not happen here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Calculator.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange areas. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to change item setups, web page formats, and general circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt with three various areas that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application developed by engineers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Calculator
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I desire someone had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “innovative” tool. But just because every person’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine honest testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your service, I’ve tested a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.