You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, just to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into one of the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the cool marketers on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even speak about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked alright. However then, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking totally pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to support. They criticized “server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my service burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving 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 before use a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel HubSpot Integration.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange places. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Want to transform item settings, web page layouts, and general flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest through 3 various locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software program developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, right?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much 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 becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel HubSpot Integration
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if every person’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and headaches over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect honest evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve checked a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, team cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your present configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.