You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among the most unpleasant software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more efficient ways to expand your company. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided more features, and all the cool online marketers online appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked alright. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing started getting emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called support. They blamed “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not happen below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel AfterPay.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd areas. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Want to change item settings, web page formats, and total flow? Great– you’ll need to quest with three various locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application built by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, appropriate?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel AfterPay
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I wish a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “innovative” tool. Yet just because every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect impartial evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your company, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for project management, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.