You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However in reality? It became one of one of the most excruciating software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more effective ways to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and often points took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I called assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can’t afford to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Insects happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Buy Now Pay Later.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird places. Also basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Intend to alter product setups, page layouts, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll require to quest with 3 different locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like using software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, right?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Buy Now Pay Later
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I desire somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “cutting edge” tool. However just because every person’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect honest reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve tested a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for job management, team cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.