You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I determined to switch my entire firm over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among one of the most agonizing software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, extra reliable means to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and often points took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided extra features, and all the cool online marketers on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I contacted support. They blamed “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved count on, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Bugs occur. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my service burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Real Estate Agent Playbook.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in unusual locations. Even basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to change item setups, web page designs, and overall circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to quest with three different locations that make zero logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater 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 Real Estate Agent Playbook
The final straw? Viewing 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 called in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I desire somebody had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “advanced” tool. But even if everyone’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the worst. Choose devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Check unbiased testimonials, customer forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly platform to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s truly not operating in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.