You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful concept, just to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. But actually? It developed into among one of the most agonizing software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly seeking smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come to life. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I got drawn in by the promise of simplifying everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (externally), offered much more features, and all the amazing marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That inquisitiveness cost me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went done in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed efficiency throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked fine. However after that, out of no place, people on my list began getting emails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Complete chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I called assistance. They blamed “web server issues.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not vanish. Think of awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust fund, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t occur below.
Responses were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming into deep space while my company burned. Meanwhile, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t offering clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel UTM Parameters.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd areas. Even basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Wish to change product settings, web page formats, and general circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt with 3 various locations that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like using software developed by designers, for designers– not daily local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Expensive, Genuine Quick
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, ideal?
However below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel UTM Parameters
The last straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play investigator while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I wish someone had informed me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” device. Yet just because everyone’s talking about something doesn’t imply it’s right for you. If your present system is working, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, intuitive user interface will save you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your month-to-month bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check impartial testimonials, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, easy to use system to run your company, I have actually evaluated a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for small to mid-sized companies with solid reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not working in your existing arrangement. Do not burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.