You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of the most excruciating software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra effective ways to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the trendy online marketers online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my list began getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any system. Insects occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my organization melted. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Chat Support.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird areas. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to transform product setups, page formats, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt via 3 various areas that make no rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program built by engineers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, ideal?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added 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 simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Chat Support
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play detective while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I desire somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the current “advanced” tool. Yet just because everybody’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check honest testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your organization, I have actually checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.