You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among the most agonizing software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got drawn in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided extra features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked okay. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I called support. They blamed “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Envision waking up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can not afford to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any type of platform. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my business melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel LC Phone and LC Email.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in strange places. Also simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to change item setups, page formats, and total flow? Great– you’ll need to quest via 3 various areas that make no sensible sense. Half the moment, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program built by designers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
However right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel LC Phone and LC Email
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. However even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert expenses 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 monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Examine honest reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use platform to run your service, I have actually checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your current configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.