You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, just to realize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into among one of the most uncomfortable software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with precisely what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra reliable means to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you have actually ever juggled a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your daily, you understand how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did everything I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), provided extra features, and all the trendy marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That interest cost me greater than just cash– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom kinds, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even discuss the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, whatever looked fine. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking completely irrelevant messages– sent out in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Complete mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not disappear. Picture waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved trust, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I don’t expect perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up fast.
That didn’t take place here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into deep space while my company melted. On the other hand, every min I spent fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside How Much Does GoHighLevel Cost.
The UX was clunky. Things were buried in weird areas. Also easy jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Want to change item settings, page formats, and general flow? Great– you’ll need to hunt via 3 different areas that make no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It seemed like using software built by designers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Affordable” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s speak cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
But here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked How Much Does GoHighLevel Cost
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were called in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been sticking around to play investigative while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– below’s what I desire a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the latest “revolutionary” device. Yet just because every person’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always far better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Covert expenses are the worst. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly bill.
4. Pay Attention to Real Users (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Inspect objective reviews, user discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual individual experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually tested a number. Here are a few I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task management, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, questioning whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your existing setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thanks.