You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It became among the most uncomfortable software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, more efficient ways to expand your service. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the great marketers online seemed to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and primarily attempting to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, whatever looked alright. However then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” But nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Imagine awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my business burned. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Outage.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Even simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me started. Intend to change item setups, web page designs, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to search with 3 various locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Half the moment, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more 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 Outage
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” tool. However just because everyone’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Concealed prices are the worst. Select tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually checked a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your existing arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.