You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, just to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became one of the most painful software decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, extra reliable methods to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), supplied much more features, and all the great marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Allow’s not also discuss the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked fine. Yet after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I contacted support. They criticized “web server problems.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Envision waking up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Bugs occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my business shed. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
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 before utilize a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel RingCentral.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in weird areas. Also simple jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Intend to alter item settings, web page formats, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to quest with three various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Costly, Real Fast
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel RingCentral
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I want somebody had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “revolutionary” device. However even if everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, intuitive user interface will save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check objective reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your business, I have actually evaluated a lot. Right here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for job administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not operating in your current setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.