You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more reliable methods to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even talk about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. Three days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved count on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any platform. Pests take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization melted. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Have Project Management.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in unusual places. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to transform item settings, web page designs, and total flow? Great– you’ll need to quest through 3 various areas that make no rational feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software application built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Have Project Management
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. However just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise prices are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check impartial reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I have actually examined a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task management, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.