You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more reliable ways to expand your business. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your daily, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, people on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted support. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Visualize awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Bugs take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Inbound Caller ID.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd locations. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Wish to transform product settings, page layouts, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt through three different areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like using software built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, best?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better e-mail 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 good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Inbound Caller ID
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 called in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I wish somebody had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. But just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the most awful. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check objective reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I have actually examined a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized services with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.