You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, just to understand later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. But in truth? It became one of the most uncomfortable software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what decreased– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, more reliable methods to grow your business. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your daily, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Honestly, I just started wondering if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), provided extra features, and all the amazing marketers on the internet seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That interest expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not also discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, everything looked fine. But after that, out of nowhere, individuals on my listing started obtaining emails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting totally pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on trust, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any system. Pests occur. But when they do? I expect the support group to step up fast.
That really did not happen below.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my company melted. Meanwhile, every minute I spent repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or expanding my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before use a device and just really feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel a CMS.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were hidden in strange places. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Intend to alter item settings, web page formats, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt via three various areas that make no rational sense. Half the moment, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs earlier.
It felt like utilizing software developed by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Expensive, Real Rapid
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, best?
Yet right here’s what they don’t tell you:.
You pay added per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing independently.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel a CMS
The final straw? Viewing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages properly. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– here’s what I desire somebody had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped concerning the latest “innovative” device. Yet just because everyone’s discussing something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Covert costs are the most awful. Pick devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month expense.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Check objective reviews, individual discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual 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 company, I have actually evaluated a number. Here are a few I ‘d in fact suggest:.
Keap— My current go-to. Powerful automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Amazing for task administration, team partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not operating in your current setup. Do not burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.