You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more efficient methods to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your daily, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered extra features, and all the great marketers on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, whatever looked fine. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m chatting completely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not happen here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into the void while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Bootcamp.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd places. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Wish to change item setups, page designs, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to quest through 3 different areas that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program built by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, right?
However below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Bootcamp
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I want someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” device. But even if every person’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the worst. Select devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual individual 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 trustworthy, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually checked a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your existing configuration. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.