You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of one of the most painful software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more reliable means to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. 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 handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be actual 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. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness 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 solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of no place, people on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Think of waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can’t pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For HVAC.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in odd locations. Even simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Intend to alter product setups, web page layouts, and total circulation? Great– you’ll require to search through three various locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, ideal?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For HVAC
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I want a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “revolutionary” device. However even if everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect impartial evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.