You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However actually? It turned into one of the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the amazing marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, sets off … everything
Let’s not also talk about the lost efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at once. Three days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Visualize awakening every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved count on, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company burned. At the same time, every min I spent fixing was a minute I had not been offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighlevel Review.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in unusual locations. Even easy tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Wish to transform item settings, web page formats, and total circulation? Cool– you’ll require to search with three various locations that make zero sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, best?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better e-mail 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 been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighlevel Review
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my checklist decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new platform– below’s what I desire a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the current “innovative” device. But just because everybody’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Select devices that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect honest evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, user-friendly platform to run your service, I’ve checked a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your present arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.