You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among one of the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more effective methods to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used extra features, and all the awesome marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even discuss the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
At first, everything looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not occur right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my company shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Contest Submission.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird locations. Also straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to alter product setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to quest with 3 different areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software application constructed by designers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, right?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Contest Submission
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Select devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current arrangement. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.