You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among the most uncomfortable software program choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, much more effective means to expand your company. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used extra features, and all the great online marketers online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t intended to get. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They blamed “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Imagine getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can not afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Round Robin.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird places. Also straightforward jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Intend to change item settings, web page designs, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to quest via three various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like using software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Real Fast
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
But here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire 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 becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Round Robin
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigator while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I desire a person had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the latest “innovative” device. Yet just because every person’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise expenses are the worst. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine unbiased reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve examined a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.