You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into one of one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra efficient ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used a lot more features, and all the trendy marketing experts online seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
In the beginning, whatever looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my company shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Gift Cards.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange locations. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Want to change item settings, web page formats, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt through 3 various areas that make no rational feeling. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, ideal?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Gift Cards
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check objective evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I have actually evaluated a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might 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 side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your present configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.