You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However in reality? It became among one of the most unpleasant software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more reliable ways to grow your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Think of getting up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my organization burned. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Custom JavaScript.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange areas. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to alter item setups, web page layouts, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll require to search through 3 different locations that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by designers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, ideal?
However here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Custom JavaScript
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I desire somebody had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the most recent “advanced” tool. But just because everybody’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect objective testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.