You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable means to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used extra features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on-line seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic settings were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked all right. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Envision awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Affirm.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird places. Even straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to transform item settings, page layouts, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search through three different locations that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software application built by designers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, appropriate?
However right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Affirm
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. However just because every person’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine objective testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve evaluated a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.