You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It developed into one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, more effective methods to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), used extra features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not also discuss the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, whatever looked alright. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They criticized “server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Imagine awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any system. Bugs occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Beginners.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual areas. Also easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to transform product setups, page designs, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt via three various areas that make no sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software built by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, best?
Yet below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Beginners
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I want somebody had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” device. Yet just because everybody’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Check honest testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual customer experience– not simply 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 dependable, user-friendly system to run your service, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, 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 yourself what’s really not working in your existing setup. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.