You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into among one of the most unpleasant software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra efficient ways to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided more features, and all the great marketing experts on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked alright. However then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can’t manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of system. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Custom Audience.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in odd places. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to change item settings, web page formats, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll need to search via three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software program developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, right?
However below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Custom Audience
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I desire a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Hidden expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine impartial evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use platform to run your business, I have actually checked a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.