You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in reality? It became one of one of the most painful software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more reliable ways to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
At first, whatever looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, people on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” However nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Picture getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Pests happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my organization burned. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Content Army.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird areas. Also easy jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Wish to transform item setups, page layouts, and overall circulation? Great– you’ll require to search through three various locations that make no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
However right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Content Army
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I desire someone had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” device. Yet even if every person’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the worst. Select tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine honest evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually examined a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.