You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of the most painful software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra effective means to grow your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got tempted in by the pledge of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked alright. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They condemned “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Imagine awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can not pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any platform. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t occur below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into deep space while my business shed. At the same time, every minute I spent repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel LinkedIn Integration.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange places. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to transform item settings, web page designs, and general circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt with 3 different locations that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like using software application built by engineers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel LinkedIn Integration
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigative while my list rotted.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I desire someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most up to date “advanced” tool. But just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine honest reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.