You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, much more effective ways to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), offered a lot more features, and all the amazing online marketers online seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
At first, whatever looked all right. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my list started getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They condemned “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Think of waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my organization shed. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Affiliate Manager.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird areas. Also easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to alter item setups, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search with 3 different locations that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software application developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, right?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Affiliate Manager
The last straw? Viewing my email 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 below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I want someone had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” device. But just because every person’s talking 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 Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine unbiased evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually tested a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.