You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve 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 went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more reliable ways to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the great marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. But then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Think of waking up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Local Business.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in strange places. Also straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Wish to transform item settings, web page layouts, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to hunt through three various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
However here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Local Business
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I desire a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” device. But even if everybody’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check objective reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your service, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.