You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into among the most unpleasant software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more effective methods to expand your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster pile of tools simply to run your daily, you recognize exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got tempted in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in position, and often points took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to reproduce my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not even speak about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of no place, people on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They condemned “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Visualize waking up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can not manage to look like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my company melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Pest Control.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird places. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Want to change product settings, web page formats, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to search through three various areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software program built by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far 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 just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Pest Control
The last straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the latest “innovative” device. But just because everyone’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the worst. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for job administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.