You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, just to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I decided to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. But actually? It became one of one of the most painful software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra effective methods to expand your service. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes things took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), used much more features, and all the amazing online marketers on-line seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” However nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Visualize getting up every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my service burned. On the other hand, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel SaaS FastTrack Program.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird areas. Also basic tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to transform product setups, web page layouts, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to search with 3 different locations that make zero rational feeling. Half the time, I could not even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, right?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel SaaS FastTrack Program
The last straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the current “advanced” device. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually tested a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thanks.