You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It developed into one of one of the most uncomfortable software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more effective methods to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), provided extra features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, 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 moving information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. However then, out of no place, people on my listing started getting emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Envision getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any type of platform. Bugs happen. But when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Have Hosting.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in unusual places. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Wish to change item settings, page layouts, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to quest via three various areas that make no sensible sense. Half the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application built by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, best?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire 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 actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Have Hosting
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” tool. But even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden costs are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Examine objective reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a number. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized companies with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.