You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I determined to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into among the most uncomfortable software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more efficient ways to expand your service. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your daily, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), however still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the shed productivity during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. However then, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Imagine getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved count on, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my company melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I had not been serving customers or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel MRR Calculator.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual places. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me started. Intend to alter item setups, web page formats, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to quest with three various areas that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the time, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, right?
Yet right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel MRR Calculator
The last straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. However just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed prices are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your existing setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.