You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of one of the most excruciating software program decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your company. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered extra features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting entirely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They criticized “web server issues.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Visualize waking up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is improved depend on, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of system. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t occur right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into deep space while my company melted. At the same time, every min I spent repairing was a min I had not been offering customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Restaurant Snapshot.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Even simple tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to change item setups, page layouts, and total flow? Cool– you’ll need to hunt via three various locations that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software application developed by designers, for designers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Real Expensive, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, best?
But here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Restaurant Snapshot
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of 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 simple to get hyped about the most recent “cutting edge” device. Yet just because everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Examine objective reviews, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task management, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.