You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic concept, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra efficient means to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, people on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can not afford to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my service burned. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside Can I Use GoHighLevel For Free.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird locations. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to change product settings, web page formats, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt through 3 various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the time, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software program built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Actual Fast
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Can I Use GoHighLevel For Free
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check objective reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.