You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific idea, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It became among the most unpleasant software program decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more efficient ways to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of devices just to run your everyday, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got lured in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and often points took a few more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), offered more features, and all the cool online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Price Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Creeping In
At first, whatever looked alright. Yet after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Complete mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server issues.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Envision getting up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not happen here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Snapshot Pour Massage.
The UX was clunky. Points were hidden in strange locations. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Intend to transform product setups, page layouts, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt through three different areas that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like using software built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, ideal?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Snapshot Pour Massage
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most recent “advanced” tool. Yet even if everyone’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
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 recognize your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check impartial evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your organization, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help 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, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current arrangement. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.