You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became one of one of the most uncomfortable 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 stroll you via exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra efficient means to grow your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained lured in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the great online marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. However then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called support. They criticized “web server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any system. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not occur below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization shed. On the other hand, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Discount Code.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange areas. Also easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to alter product settings, web page formats, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to quest via 3 various locations that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like making use of software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, ideal?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Discount Code
The final 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 points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. Yet just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.