You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It became one of the most unpleasant software choices I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more reliable means to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein stack of tools simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and enjoying it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied more features, and all the cool marketing experts on-line appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest cost me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and satisfaction.
What It Cost Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom-made types, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not also speak about the shed performance during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked okay. But then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list began getting emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Overall chaos.
I rebuilt the automations from square one. Still taken place. I got in touch with assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not go away. Envision awakening every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand is built on trust fund, you can not manage to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any platform. Bugs take place. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur below.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting into deep space while my service burned. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or growing my company.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Weekly Roundup.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in odd areas. Even easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Wish to alter item settings, web page layouts, and overall flow? Awesome– you’ll require to search through three various areas that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It seemed like using software program developed by designers, for designers– not day-to-day business owners.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Seems amazing, best?
However here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Weekly Roundup
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Possibly the system was just sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– below’s what I desire someone had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the latest “advanced” tool. But just because every person’s speaking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed costs are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine impartial testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit strings. Pay attention to real individual experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, user-friendly system to run your service, I have actually evaluated a number. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job administration, team collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your present setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.