You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into one of one of the most unpleasant software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, more effective means to grow your company. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster pile of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I got tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered more features, and all the trendy marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially attempting to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked fine. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Total disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They blamed “server problems.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Think of getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can’t pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my company burned. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Kelsi Navalta.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in weird locations. Even basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Intend to transform product setups, page designs, and total flow? Trendy– you’ll require to hunt with 3 different locations that make no logical sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like utilizing software application developed by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, ideal?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added 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 just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Kelsi Navalta
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– below’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” device. But even if everybody’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check honest evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real user experience– not just slick 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 system to run your business, I’ve tested a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants 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 finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your present configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.