You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, extra effective methods to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your day-to-day, you know how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got drawn in by the assurance of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), provided more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m talking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my company melted. Meanwhile, every min I spent repairing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Math Calculation.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange areas. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to transform item settings, page layouts, and total circulation? Great– you’ll need to search with three different areas that make no logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, ideal?
But here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included 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 Math Calculation
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– right here’s what I desire someone had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the latest “innovative” tool. However just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert expenses are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Check honest evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use system to run your business, I’ve examined a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.