You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But in reality? It turned into one of one of the most agonizing software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
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 searching for smarter, extra efficient ways to expand your company. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I got enticed in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered a lot more features, and all the cool marketing professionals on-line appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
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 moving data, rebuilding workflows, and basically trying to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to identify where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users at a time. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Picture getting up every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That didn’t happen below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Shippo Integration.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in odd areas. Even simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Intend to alter item settings, page designs, and general circulation? Cool– you’ll require to search with 3 various areas that make absolutely no rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software program developed by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Real Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems outstanding, ideal?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much 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 actually been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Shippo Integration
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I want someone had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the most up to date “innovative” device. However even if everyone’s speaking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect impartial testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, team cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing setup. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.