You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, just to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of the most unpleasant software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more effective methods to grow your company. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster pile of tools just to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the amazing marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. But then, out of no place, people on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Picture awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can’t pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any platform. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Staffing Agencies.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in odd places. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to change product settings, page layouts, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search with 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application built by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, best?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Staffing Agencies
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I wish someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “cutting edge” device. But even if everyone’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Examine objective testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a lot. Below are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your present setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.