You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into one of the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra efficient means to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy item disorder.
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 e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also talk about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked all right. However then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” However nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Imagine awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Subscription Management.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in unusual areas. Even straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Wish to transform item setups, web page designs, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt with three various areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program built by designers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Subscription Management
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I want a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. Yet even if every person’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert prices are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually examined a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.