You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It became one of one of the most agonizing software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, extra reliable means to expand your business. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you know just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor situation of shiny object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in position, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided much more features, and all the great marketing professionals online seemed to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Let’s not even talk about the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell basic settings were.
And just when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet after that, out of nowhere, people on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m talking totally irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at a time. 3 days in a row.
Total chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still occurred. I contacted support. They blamed “server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Imagine getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just irritating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can not pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects take place. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That didn’t occur here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my business shed. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel URL Parameters.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Also basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Intend to change item settings, page formats, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to hunt via 3 different areas that make zero logical sense. Half the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like using software built by designers, for engineers– not daily company owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Actual Quick
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears outstanding, ideal?
Yet here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel URL Parameters
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– right here’s what I desire someone had told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “advanced” device. However just because every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine objective reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual customer experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your business, I’ve examined a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for job administration, team collaboration, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.