You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It became one of the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more reliable methods to expand your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered extra features, and all the great marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I called support. They blamed “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any type of system. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my organization shed. At the same time, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Gig Image.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird places. Even straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Intend to change product settings, web page designs, and total flow? Great– you’ll require to quest through three various areas that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software developed by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Gig Image
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play detective while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– below’s what I desire somebody had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “advanced” device. But even if every person’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine objective reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual customer experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your current setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.