You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, only to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It developed into among one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, much more efficient methods to grow your business. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided a lot more features, and all the great online marketers on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, sets off … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed efficiency during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck fundamental setups were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked fine. However then, out of no place, people on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t meant to get. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They blamed “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem didn’t disappear. Think of awakening every early morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust fund, you can not manage to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects take place. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not take place below.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my company burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel URL Redirects.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird places. Even easy jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to transform item settings, page layouts, and total circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt through three various locations that make no sensible sense. Half the moment, I could not also remember where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, appropriate?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel URL Redirects
The last straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my checklist decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of new platform– here’s what I want somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped about the latest “revolutionary” tool. But just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the worst. Choose tools that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check impartial testimonials, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of real customer experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve evaluated a lot. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually advise:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.