You recognize that feeling 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 occurred when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It became among the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more reliable means to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your daily, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), offered more features, and all the awesome marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not also talk about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked fine. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Imagine getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Nonprofit Organizations.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in odd areas. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Intend to transform item settings, page layouts, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll require to search via 3 different locations that make zero sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like using software application developed by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, appropriate?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Nonprofit Organizations
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I want someone had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” device. However even if every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect honest reviews, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your company, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.