You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It became among one of the most unpleasant software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra efficient means to grow your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and generally trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also speak about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked alright. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days in a row.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Think of getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Cleaning Company.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in strange areas. Also basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Intend to transform item setups, page formats, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt through three different areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like using software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not everyday business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Cleaning Company
The final straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I wish a person had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “advanced” device. Yet even if every person’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect impartial evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.