You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I determined to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into one of one of the most excruciating software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more reliable ways to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the amazing marketing professionals online seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even discuss the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking totally pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Envision awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Pests happen. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization shed. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel LevelUp Summit.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in strange places. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to transform product setups, page layouts, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search through 3 different areas that make zero sensible feeling. Half the moment, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software built by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, appropriate?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel LevelUp Summit
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– here’s what I want someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the latest “revolutionary” device. But just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check objective testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your organization, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.