You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into among one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra efficient ways to grow your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the amazing online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They blamed “server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Think of getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any system. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service melted. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Entrepreneurs.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to change product settings, web page layouts, and total circulation? Great– you’ll require to quest with three various locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Entrepreneurs
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I desire a person had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “cutting edge” device. But just because everybody’s speaking about 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 system with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Inspect unbiased evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.