You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I made a decision to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of one of the most painful software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more efficient ways to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply 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 several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the cool marketers online appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
At first, whatever looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any type of system. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not occur here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my company shed. On the other hand, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Have A Dialer.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird areas. Also simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to transform product settings, page formats, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt through three different areas that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like using software developed by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, best?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Have A Dialer
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most recent “innovative” device. Yet even if everybody’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the most awful. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Check objective evaluations, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.