You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to switch my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of one of the most unpleasant software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before 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 constantly looking for smarter, a lot more efficient ways to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster pile of tools just to run your everyday, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I obtained enticed in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided more features, and all the great marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also speak about the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked fine. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Imagine getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into deep space while my organization burned. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Marketing Agencies.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in weird locations. Even straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to change product settings, web page designs, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt through 3 different locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
But right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Marketing Agencies
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish a person had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden prices are the worst. Select tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketers)
Check unbiased reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual 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 trusted, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually 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 peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.