You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your daily, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the cool marketing professionals on-line appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, everything looked fine. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not occur here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel AI Lead Gen System.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in strange areas. Even simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to transform product settings, web page formats, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to quest through three various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better email 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 getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel AI Lead Gen System
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” tool. However just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed costs are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check unbiased evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve evaluated a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.