You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It became among one of the most excruciating software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more effective means to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of devices just to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied more features, and all the awesome marketing professionals online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, 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 information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked all right. However then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted support. They criticized “web server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t go away. Think of waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect excellence from any type of system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That didn’t take place right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my service shed. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Multiple Review Platform Integration.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in weird places. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to transform product settings, web page designs, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search with three various areas that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, ideal?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Multiple Review Platform Integration
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I want a person had told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” tool. But even if everyone’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check unbiased testimonials, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually tested a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for project administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thank you.