You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more efficient means to expand your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied much more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not also discuss the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted support. They criticized “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on count on, you can’t afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any kind of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Varun Vairavan.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in unusual areas. Also basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to alter product settings, page layouts, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to hunt via three various areas that make no rational feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Real Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, ideal?
However below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Varun Vairavan
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– here’s what I wish a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “cutting edge” device. However even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.