You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more efficient methods to grow your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained lured in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m speaking entirely unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any system. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my business shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Listings.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird areas. Also straightforward tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to alter item setups, web page designs, and general circulation? Great– you’ll require to search with three different areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like using software application developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Listings
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– right here’s what I desire somebody had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the current “advanced” tool. Yet just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check impartial reviews, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually examined a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every cent.
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 strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, team partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.