You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into one of one of the most excruciating software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more efficient means to expand your business. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your daily, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the cool online marketers on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even discuss the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. But then, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting totally unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted support. They condemned “web server problems.” But nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Envision waking up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Bugs take place. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Help Docs.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd places. Even easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to change item setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll need to quest via three different locations that make zero rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software developed by designers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, best?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included 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 Help Docs
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– below’s what I want a person had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the current “revolutionary” device. However even if every person’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Pick tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check honest evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real individual experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward system to run your service, I have actually examined a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.