You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my whole company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It developed into one of the most unpleasant software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more effective means to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the trendy online marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not also talk about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called support. They condemned “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any type of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my organization shed. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Agency Owners.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Want to alter product setups, page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll need to quest through three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, best?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Agency Owners
The last straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I want somebody had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. But just because every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Select tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check objective reviews, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real customer 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 reliable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.