You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in reality? It became one of one of the most unpleasant software program choices I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more effective methods to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for many years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used a lot more features, and all the awesome marketing experts online appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest price me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and satisfaction.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, rebuilding workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, activates … everything
Let’s not even speak about the lost efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, everything looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t meant to receive. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users at a time. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Think of getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any type of system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up fast.
That really did not occur here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my company shed. At the same time, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I had not been offering clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to major entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Templates.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in unusual locations. Also simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Wish to alter item settings, page layouts, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest with 3 various locations that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten secs earlier.
It felt like using software application developed by engineers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Actual Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems impressive, appropriate?
But here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Templates
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most up to date “cutting edge” tool. But even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the worst. Select tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine impartial evaluations, individual discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on real customer experience– not just 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, easy to use system to run your business, I have actually examined a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized services with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.