You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to understand later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. However actually? It developed into one of one of the most painful software program choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, much more effective methods to grow your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire happened. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided more features, and all the great marketing professionals on-line seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That curiosity cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to determine where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, whatever looked alright. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. Three days straight.
Overall chaos.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not vanish. Envision waking up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust fund, you can not pay for to look like a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any system. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not happen here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into the void while my organization melted. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering customers or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Twilio Integration.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange places. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Intend to transform item setups, web page designs, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to quest through three various areas that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software built by engineers, for engineers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, right?
But below’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Twilio Integration
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– right here’s what I desire someone had actually informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the most recent “advanced” tool. But just because everyone’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, intuitive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise prices are the worst. Select devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine honest reviews, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your business, I have actually checked a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for small to mid-sized services with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thank you.