You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of the most agonizing software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, more reliable ways to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied a lot more features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Let’s not also discuss the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked okay. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I spoke to support. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Imagine waking up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on count on, you can’t pay for to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Insurance Agents.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange areas. Also straightforward tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to alter product settings, page designs, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different areas that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software application constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, right?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better e-mail 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 negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Insurance Agents
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I want somebody had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” tool. However just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine honest reviews, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.