You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of one of the most uncomfortable software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more effective means to grow your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your daily, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the awesome marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. However after that, out of no place, people on my list began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Pests happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my organization shed. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel 30 Day Saas Mode Free Trial.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird areas. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Want to alter item setups, web page formats, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll need to search via 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Half the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software application built by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, right?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel 30 Day Saas Mode Free Trial
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I desire a person had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “innovative” device. But just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your service, I have actually examined a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job management, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.