You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became among one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient methods to grow your business. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the awesome online marketers online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also speak about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. However after that, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Picture 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 fund, you can not afford to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t occur right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Eliza Agent Platform.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird areas. Also straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Intend to change item setups, web page formats, and general flow? Great– you’ll require to quest with 3 various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software built by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Real Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, right?
But below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Eliza Agent Platform
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– here’s what I desire a person had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “revolutionary” device. Yet even if every person’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your company, I have actually examined a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an aggravating, pricey 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 on your own what’s actually not working in your current setup. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.