You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I chose to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into among the most painful software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, more effective means to expand your company. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you understand how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. But then, out of no place, people on my listing started getting e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers each time. 3 days straight.
Overall turmoil.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Imagine waking up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust, you can’t manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any type of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my business melted. At the same time, every min I invested repairing was a min I had not been serving customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Plugins.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange locations. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Intend to transform item settings, web page designs, and general flow? Cool– you’ll need to hunt through three different areas that make absolutely no sensible sense. Half the time, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds remarkable, appropriate?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Plugins
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at bad times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I want someone had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “advanced” device. But even if everybody’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check impartial evaluations, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward system to run your service, I have actually examined a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.