You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of one of the most painful software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more efficient methods to expand your organization. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and often points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered much more features, and all the amazing online marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the shed productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked fine. However after that, out of no place, people on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days in a row.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I called support. They blamed “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of system. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Getwsodo.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in odd places. Also straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Want to alter item setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Great– you’ll need to hunt with 3 different locations that make no rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software application developed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Real Fast
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, ideal?
However right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Getwsodo
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– below’s what I want a person had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” device. However even if everybody’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Select tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual user 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 reputable, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve examined a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.