You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However actually? It developed into among the most unpleasant software application decisions I’ve made in over a decade of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, much more effective ways to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you know how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been using Keap for years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of streamlining whatever under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I required. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Truthfully, I just began asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the great marketing experts on the internet appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That curiosity cost me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, rebuilding workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, activates … whatever
Allow’s not even talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck basic setups were.
And just when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. Yet then, out of no place, people on my checklist began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking entirely pointless messages– sent in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t vanish. Visualize getting up every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on depend on, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That didn’t take place below.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into the void while my service burned. At the same time, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a min I wasn’t serving customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Welcome Course.
The UX was clunky. Points were buried in strange locations. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Wish to change item setups, page formats, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt through 3 different areas that make no rational feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not even keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software program developed by designers, for engineers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s talk cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s large selling points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, right?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want much better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Welcome Course
The last straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending at bad times or not individualizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I had not been staying to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– below’s what I desire somebody had actually informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped concerning the most up to date “cutting edge” device. Yet just because every person’s speaking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A platform with a tidy, user-friendly interface will conserve you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine objective evaluations, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I’ve examined a lot. Below are a few I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly excellent for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But also for me? It was an irritating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your current arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.