You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a terrific concept, only to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of the most agonizing software program choices I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, much more efficient means to grow your company. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a negative case of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the great marketing experts on-line appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest price me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to reproduce my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not also talk about the lost performance throughout those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to identify where the heck basic settings were.
And just when I believed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. But then, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began getting emails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m talking totally unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still happened. I called support. They criticized “web server concerns.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Picture getting up every morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved depend on, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Insects happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not happen below.
Reactions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply feel … shed? That was me inside GoHighLevel Virtual Workshop.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd areas. Even simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Wish to transform item setups, web page layouts, and general flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest through 3 various locations that make zero logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software constructed by designers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling factors is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Want far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Virtual Workshop
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my list rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I wish somebody had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the current “advanced” device. Yet even if everybody’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Concealed costs are the worst. Select devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check honest evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, straightforward platform to run your company, I’ve examined a number. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for small to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for task management, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But for me? It was a frustrating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will thanks.