You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful idea, just to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It developed into among one of the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more reliable methods to grow your service. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire happened. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), provided extra features, and all the great online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That inquisitiveness expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the shed efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. Yet after that, out of no place, people on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking totally irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I got in touch with support. They condemned “server concerns.” But nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless 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 platform. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t happen here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my service melted. At the same time, every min I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Test Mode.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in strange areas. Even straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Want to alter item setups, web page layouts, and general circulation? Great– you’ll need to quest through three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like making use of software application built by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Real Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, right?
However right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Test Mode
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been remaining to play investigative while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– below’s what I want somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the current “revolutionary” tool. However just because everybody’s talking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Check honest testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to actual user experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your business, I’ve checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for small to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.