You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I decided to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into one of the most unpleasant software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more efficient ways to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered extra features, and all the trendy marketers on the internet seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity price me more than just money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. But then, out of nowhere, people on my list started getting emails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to support. They blamed “server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can’t manage to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel OAuth.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in weird places. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Want to alter product setups, web page layouts, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll need to hunt via 3 different locations that make no logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like using software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, right?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel OAuth
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I desire someone had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “advanced” device. But even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Select tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Inspect unbiased reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your business, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive 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 yourself what’s actually not working in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.