You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in truth? It became one of one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more reliable methods to grow your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the amazing marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Personalized types, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not also speak about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked fine. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at once. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t disappear. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved count on, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t take place right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my business shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Quiz Funnel.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in odd locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to alter product settings, web page formats, and overall flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest via 3 various areas that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, right?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Quiz Funnel
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the latest “revolutionary” device. Yet even if everybody’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise prices are the most awful. Pick tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Real Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check objective reviews, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your organization, I have actually checked a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present setup. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.