You know that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It turned into one of the most excruciating software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, much more effective ways to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I got enticed in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), used a lot more features, and all the great marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made types, landing pages, causes … every little thing
Allow’s not even talk about the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I assumed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m talking totally unnecessary messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at a time. 3 days straight.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Visualize waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on depend on, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Snapshot Templates.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in unusual locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to change product setups, web page formats, and total flow? Awesome– you’ll need to search with three various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like making use of software built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
Yet below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Snapshot Templates
The final straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I wish a person had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check objective testimonials, user forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your service, I have actually tested a bunch. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized companies with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, 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 on your own what’s truly not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.