You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It became among the most agonizing software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more efficient ways to expand your service. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster pile of tools just to run your daily, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the cool marketers on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Visualize waking up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my service shed. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel $97 Plan.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in unusual places. Even basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to transform product settings, page layouts, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll need to quest through 3 different locations that make no rational feeling. Half the time, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel $97 Plan
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I wish somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most recent “innovative” tool. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your company, I have actually evaluated a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.