You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra reliable methods to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied much more features, and all the awesome online marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m chatting completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my service shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Better Business Bureau.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in unusual places. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to alter product settings, page designs, and overall flow? Great– you’ll require to hunt via three different areas that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software application built by engineers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, best?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Better Business Bureau
The last straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I want somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. Yet just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real user experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your service, I have actually tested a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing setup. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.