You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It became one of the most uncomfortable software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more reliable ways to grow your organization. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack 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 several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the amazing marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can’t afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any type of system. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my service melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Initializing.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird areas. Also simple jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Want to change item setups, page designs, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search via three various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software built by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, appropriate?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform 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 independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Initializing
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– below’s what I want somebody had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. However even if every person’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot 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 doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert prices are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Inspect honest reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized companies with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.