You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But in reality? It became among the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra effective means to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your everyday, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Local Service Providers.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd areas. Even straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to change product setups, web page designs, and general flow? Great– you’ll require to quest through 3 various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Local Service Providers
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, 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.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” device. Yet just because every person’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine objective reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual 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 trusted, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve examined a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially 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 end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.