You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I determined to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It turned into among the most unpleasant software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more reliable ways to grow your business. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided more features, and all the awesome marketing experts online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and basically trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even speak about the shed productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked okay. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Overall disorder.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still happened. I spoke to support. They blamed “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Think of getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not expect perfection from any type of system. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my business melted. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Pay-Per-Lead (PPL).
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to alter product setups, web page designs, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll need to search with three different areas that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like using software program built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, best?
But right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Pay-Per-Lead (PPL)
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped regarding the latest “innovative” tool. However even if everybody’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Check objective evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually examined a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project monitoring, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.