You understand that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, just to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I determined to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It became among one of the most painful software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient means to expand your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied extra features, and all the amazing marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, everything looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They criticized “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t manage to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into deep space while my business burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Tech Support.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird places. Even easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to change item setups, web page designs, and total flow? Cool– you’ll require to quest via 3 various areas that make no rational feeling. Half the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not daily local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems incredible, best?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Tech Support
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I desire a person had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” device. However just because everybody’s discussing something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Examine objective evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your present configuration. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.