You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent idea, only to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It became among the most unpleasant software decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient ways to expand your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you understand just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got tempted in by the pledge of simplifying everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and often things took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the amazing marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That interest price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not even speak about the shed productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, everything looked all right. Yet then, out of no place, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted support. They criticized “web server issues.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Imagine getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can’t afford to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any system. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not take place right here.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming right into the void while my service melted. At the same time, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Summit 2025.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in weird areas. Also simple tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Want to change product setups, web page layouts, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll require to search through three various locations that make absolutely no rational feeling. Half the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program built by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, best?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Summit 2025
The last straw? Viewing my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– below’s what I want somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped about the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. However even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine honest reviews, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your service, I’ve examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was an aggravating, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.