You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic idea, just to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into among the most excruciating software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via precisely what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, much more reliable methods to grow your business. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Monster stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, truthfully), but still– I obtained drawn in by the pledge of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad situation of glossy object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the cool marketing experts on-line seemed to be raving about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest expense me more than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even discuss the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell basic settings were.
And simply when I assumed points were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked alright. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began getting emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 individuals at a time. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to support. They criticized “server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Envision getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of platform. Insects happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up fast.
That really did not occur below.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my company burned. Meanwhile, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Toll Free.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in weird areas. Even simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Intend to transform product setups, web page designs, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll require to quest through 3 different locations that make zero logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds previously.
It seemed like utilizing software built by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Real Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, best?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
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 bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Toll Free
The final straw? Watching my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been remaining to play detective while my checklist deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I want someone had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “cutting edge” device. But just because everyone’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden prices are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine objective evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not just glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your service, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for little to mid-sized organizations with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current arrangement. Do not melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will thank you.