You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among the most painful software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to grow your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the great marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Picture waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any type of system. Bugs occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Lead Scoring.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd locations. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to transform item settings, web page formats, and overall flow? Great– you’ll need to quest through three different areas that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Real Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, best?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Lead Scoring
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining 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 nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish a person had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. Yet even if every person’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the worst. Choose devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your organization, I’ve tested a lot. Here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.