You know that feeling 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 chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in reality? It turned into one of one of the most painful software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more reliable ways to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your daily, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I got lured in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered much more features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not even discuss the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked okay. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called support. They criticized “server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of system. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur below.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Have PPC.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in odd areas. Even basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Want to transform product settings, page designs, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll need to search through three different locations that make zero sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like using software developed by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
Yet right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Have PPC
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” device. However just because everyone’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply 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 reliable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I have actually tested a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for task administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.