You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into among the most uncomfortable 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 through precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra reliable methods to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the cool marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not even speak about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, whatever looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at once. Three days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted support. They criticized “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel 60 Day Free Trial.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to transform product setups, web page designs, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to search via 3 various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel 60 Day Free Trial
The final straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I want somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “innovative” device. However just because every person’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect objective reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real user 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 trusted, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve examined a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current configuration. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.