You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, only to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into among one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more effective means to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used a lot more features, and all the cool marketing experts online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” However nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Envision getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Pests happen. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my business melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside Can I Host A Website on GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird places. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to change item setups, web page designs, and total circulation? Cool– you’ll need to quest with three various locations that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, appropriate?
However below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Can I Host A Website on GoHighLevel
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I desire a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the current “revolutionary” device. But just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective testimonials, user forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your business, I’ve evaluated a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.