You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra efficient methods to grow your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your daily, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used more features, and all the amazing online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked fine. Yet then, out of no place, people on my list started getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Think of waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That really did not take place below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my company shed. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Call Transcriptions.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in strange areas. Also simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Want to alter item setups, page designs, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to search with three various locations that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, right?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
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 simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Call Transcriptions
The last straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most recent “advanced” device. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Hidden costs are the worst. Select tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your company, I’ve evaluated a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit 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 leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.