You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into among the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra reliable methods to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
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, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked fine. However after that, out of no place, people on my listing began getting emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting totally unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They condemned “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any type of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my business burned. Meanwhile, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel For Startups.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in unusual places. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to alter item settings, web page designs, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll require to search through three different locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like using software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, ideal?
However below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel For Startups
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I desire a person had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the current “advanced” tool. Yet even if everybody’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check objective reviews, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual individual experience– not just 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 reputable, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually tested a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your current setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.