You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a fantastic idea, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I chose to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in reality? It became among one of the most excruciating software program decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, extra efficient methods to expand your service. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you understand just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I got tempted in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad instance of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.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?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied extra features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, sets off … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the shed performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked all right. However then, out of no place, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking totally unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I called support. They condemned “server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Envision waking up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust, you can not pay for to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any platform. Insects take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not happen right here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my business melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Testimonials.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in strange locations. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Intend to transform item settings, page layouts, and total circulation? Trendy– you’ll need to quest through 3 various locations that make absolutely no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Costly, Actual Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Testimonials
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– right here’s what I wish somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped about the current “revolutionary” tool. However even if everyone’s speaking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine impartial reviews, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual individual experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve checked a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, 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 on your own what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.