You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more effective means to grow your service. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’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, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided much more features, and all the amazing marketers online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked all right. But then, out of no place, people on my listing started getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m chatting completely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Visualize awakening every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my company burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Kollab App.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in odd areas. Also straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Wish to change item setups, web page layouts, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll require to search through three different locations that make zero sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application built by designers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, appropriate?
However below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Kollab App
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– right here’s what I want somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” tool. However just because every person’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden expenses are the worst. Choose devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply 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, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.