You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It became among one of the most agonizing software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, more efficient ways to grow your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, everything looked alright. However then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking completely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not go away. Imagine awakening every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That really did not occur here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside Does GoHighLevel Integrate with Shopify.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in unusual areas. Even straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. Want to transform item settings, page designs, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search via three various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like using software program developed by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
But here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Does GoHighLevel Integrate with Shopify
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I desire somebody 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 latest “cutting edge” device. However just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for job management, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.