You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more reliable ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), used extra features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking completely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted support. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not go away. Picture waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Pests happen. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Chatbot.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange places. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to transform product setups, page designs, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest through three various locations that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Chatbot
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I want a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” device. However just because every person’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert prices are the worst. Select devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine objective testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your service, I have actually tested a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.