You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of one of the most painful software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more effective means to expand your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your everyday, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny object 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 needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used more features, and all the great marketers online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked fine. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Think of waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Franchise Sales.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in unusual places. Even straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Wish to change product setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Great– you’ll need to hunt through three different areas that make no rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software built by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, appropriate?
Yet right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Franchise Sales
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the latest “innovative” tool. Yet even if every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise prices are the worst. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial reviews, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve checked a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present arrangement. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.