You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It became one of the most painful software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more effective means to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom kinds, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Picture waking up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t manage to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Canny.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in unusual places. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to alter product setups, page layouts, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest with 3 different locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, ideal?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Canny
The final straw? Watching 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 engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I want someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “innovative” tool. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect objective evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.