You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more effective ways to expand your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used much more features, and all the great marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They criticized “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Envision waking up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Agency Sub-Account.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd areas. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to change product settings, page formats, and total flow? Cool– you’ll need to quest via three various areas that make zero rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by designers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, appropriate?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach 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 too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Agency Sub-Account
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– right here’s what I want somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the latest “revolutionary” device. But just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Pick 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 expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly system to run your company, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.