You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, only to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It became one of the most excruciating software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra reliable ways to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your daily, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the cool online marketers on the internet appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not even speak about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked okay. However then, out of no place, people on my listing began getting emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted support. They blamed “web server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel No Payment Provider Found.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in weird locations. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Want to change product settings, web page formats, and overall flow? Cool– you’ll need to search via three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, best?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel No Payment Provider Found
The final straw? Enjoying my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new system– right here’s what I want someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most up to date “revolutionary” device. But even if every person’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Pick devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine unbiased evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your present setup. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.