You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific idea, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It developed into one of the most unpleasant software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through specifically what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, more effective means to grow your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before juggled a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the assurance of simplifying everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied a lot more features, and all the great online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest cost me more than just cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the shed efficiency throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
In the beginning, everything looked alright. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking totally unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals each time. 3 days straight.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t vanish. Imagine waking up every morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply irritating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t take place right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my service burned. At the same time, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Themes.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange locations. Even easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Want to alter item setups, page layouts, and total circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to quest with three various areas that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Genuine Costly, Real Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, right?
Yet right here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Themes
The final straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I wish a person had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “advanced” tool. But just because everyone’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Hidden expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Check honest testimonials, user forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of actual customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your organization, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Here are a few I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project management, group partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present setup. Do not melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.