You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of the most agonizing software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient methods to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever managed a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got lured in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the great marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’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 identify where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m talking totally pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They blamed “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Visualize awakening every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can’t afford to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my service shed. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Career Coaching Playbook.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird places. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to alter item settings, page formats, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest via three different locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, right?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Career Coaching Playbook
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’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 very easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise prices are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect objective evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your service, I’ve tested a number. Below are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.