You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It turned into one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra efficient means to expand your service. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your daily, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did whatever I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the great marketing professionals on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Custom types, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not even talk about the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to find out where the hell basic setups were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked all right. Yet then, out of no place, individuals on my list started getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted support. They criticized “server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Picture waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my company burned. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Quiz Builder.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in odd locations. Also easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to alter item settings, web page layouts, and total circulation? Cool– you’ll require to search through 3 different locations that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, ideal?
But right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Quiz Builder
The final straw? Watching my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– below’s what I want someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most up to date “revolutionary” device. However just because everybody’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Hidden expenses are the most awful. Pick tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect objective testimonials, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve checked a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Great for project management, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your current configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.