You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, only to recognize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into one of one of the most painful software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more efficient methods to grow your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got lured in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), used more features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even speak about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked fine. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting completely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at once. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They blamed “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Picture getting up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect excellence from any system. Pests take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not occur here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Local Business Playbook.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird locations. Also easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to alter item settings, page designs, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt via three various locations that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like making use of software constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears fantastic, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Local Business Playbook
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I want someone had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the latest “innovative” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine objective reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly system to run your business, I’ve examined a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not working in your existing configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.