You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I made a decision to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into among the most unpleasant software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my service.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, a lot more efficient ways to expand your company. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream happened. A single platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Frankenstein stack of devices just 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 liking it, truthfully), however still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of shiny things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and often points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Truthfully, I simply started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered more features, and all the amazing online marketers on the internet seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not also talk about the lost productivity throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And just when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
At first, everything looked alright. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m chatting entirely unimportant messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I called assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” Yet nothing made sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Visualize waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just bothersome– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved depend on, you can’t pay for to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up fast.
That really did not take place below.
Feedbacks were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my business melted. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before use a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Web Designer Playbook.
The UX was confusing. Points were buried in odd places. Also straightforward tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also obtain me began. Want to alter product setups, web page designs, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different locations that make no logical sense. Half the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software program developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Fast
Let’s chat money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
Yet here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Web Designer Playbook
The last straw? Enjoying my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t remaining to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I desire someone had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” device. However just because everyone’s discussing something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed costs are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limits. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Users (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Examine honest testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually evaluated a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for tiny to mid-sized companies with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task monitoring, team partnership, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current configuration. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thanks.