You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to realize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your daily, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I got drawn in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), used extra features, and all the great marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked okay. But then, out of no place, individuals on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted support. They blamed “server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Visualize waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my organization shed. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Estimates.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange areas. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to alter product setups, page designs, and general flow? Cool– you’ll need to quest via three various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software application developed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Estimates
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I want somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the current “advanced” tool. But just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect objective reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your business, I’ve evaluated a lot. Below are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.