You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more reliable methods to grow your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used extra features, and all the awesome marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also speak about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, whatever looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking totally unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to support. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any system. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Custom Values.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange areas. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to alter item setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt with 3 different areas that make no logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software built by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Custom Values
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I want someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the latest “innovative” device. However even if every person’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually examined a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.