You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I made a decision to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It became among the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more reliable means to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided more features, and all the cool marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Allow’s not also speak about the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. However after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at a time. Three days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I contacted support. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Think of awakening every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any system. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my organization shed. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel No Valid Payment Method Found.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in unusual areas. Also simple jobs 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 began. Intend to alter item settings, page formats, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll require to search with three various areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like using software constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Genuine Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, appropriate?
Yet below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel No Valid Payment Method Found
The final straw? Enjoying 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 dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play detective while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I desire someone had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the most recent “advanced” device. Yet even if everyone’s talking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check honest evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve examined a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, team cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.