You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into one of one of the most uncomfortable software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more efficient means to grow your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your daily, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used extra features, and all the awesome marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called support. They condemned “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Ad Agencies.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird locations. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to change item setups, web page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt through 3 various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program built by engineers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, ideal?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified 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 greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Ad Agencies
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– here’s what I want someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the current “advanced” device. However just because everyone’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the worst. Select devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check objective evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve checked a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.