You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into one of the most painful software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more effective ways to grow your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the cool marketing experts online appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking totally pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called support. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Bugs take place. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my organization shed. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Recruitment Agencies.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange locations. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even get me began. Want to change product setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to hunt through 3 various areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software application built by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, appropriate?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Recruitment Agencies
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “cutting edge” device. But even if every person’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial testimonials, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your organization, I have actually evaluated a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.