You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent concept, only to understand later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into one of one of the most unpleasant software choices I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So before you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, extra efficient ways to expand your company. Simply … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for several years (and enjoying it, honestly), however still– I got lured in by the promise of streamlining every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and sometimes points took a few more clicks than I liked, but hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), offered extra features, and all the awesome online marketers on-line appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than just money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Price Me to Change
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to replicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … whatever
Let’s not even speak about the lost performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell fundamental setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Slipping In
Initially, every little thing looked alright. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t intended to receive. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Complete disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still taken place. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server concerns.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Envision awakening every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is built on trust fund, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Good Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate perfection from any kind of system. Insects occur. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t take place right here.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting right into the void while my service melted. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t offering clients or growing my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever make use of a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside How To Upgrade To The GoHighLevel Pro Plan.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in unusual locations. Even basic jobs like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Intend to alter product settings, web page formats, and general circulation? Amazing– you’ll need to quest through three various areas that make absolutely no rational sense. Fifty percent the moment, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like utilizing software program developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears impressive, best?
Yet below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
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 more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked How To Upgrade To The GoHighLevel Pro Plan
The final straw? Seeing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been sticking around to play investigator while my listing decomposed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new platform– here’s what I want a person had told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” device. But even if everyone’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t always better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Transparency
Covert costs are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Actual Customers (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect unbiased testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit threads. Pay attention to actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your business, I have actually checked a lot. Here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it just functions. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might work for some. But for me? It was a discouraging, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing setup. Do not shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your customers) will certainly thank you.