You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, just to recognize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what took place when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. However in reality? It developed into one of one of the most painful software application decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more reliable methods to expand your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come true. A single system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you understand exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny object syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally things took a few even more clicks than I liked, but hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just began asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on-line seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, 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 migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom types, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not also speak about the lost productivity during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the heck basic setups were.
And simply when I thought things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. But after that, out of nowhere, people on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m speaking entirely unimportant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Total chaos.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They blamed “web server concerns.” However nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Visualize getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t manage to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong emails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not expect perfection from any platform. Bugs occur. However when they do? I expect the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not occur below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my business burned. Meanwhile, every minute I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever use a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside How To Sign Up For GoHighLevel.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in odd places. Also easy tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. Want to transform item setups, web page designs, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to quest with three various locations that make zero logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software application built by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I imply, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, best?
However here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t discussed plainly.
Desire better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I included whatever up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked How To Sign Up For GoHighLevel
The final straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play detective while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the current “advanced” tool. However even if everybody’s discussing something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your present system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t always better. A system with a tidy, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden costs are the most awful. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not require a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Real Customers (Not Just Marketers)
Examine unbiased evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, user-friendly system to run your service, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for project administration, group cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current setup. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.