You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to realize later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I chose to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It developed into one of one of the most agonizing software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my business.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what dropped– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for smarter, a lot more efficient ways to expand your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you understand just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, truthfully), however still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface really felt a little dated in places, and sometimes points took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it worked.
So why modification?
Honestly, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (on the surface), provided much more features, and all the awesome marketers on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and generally attempting to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Let’s not also talk about the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell fundamental settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
Initially, whatever looked alright. However then, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in sets of 171 users each time. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from square one. Still occurred. I got in touch with support. They blamed “server issues.” But absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Picture getting up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand is built on depend on, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Bugs happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen right here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my business shed. At the same time, every minute I invested fixing was a min I wasn’t offering customers or expanding my firm.
For a device that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a tool and just feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel a MLM.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even straightforward jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t even obtain me began. Wish to change item setups, web page formats, and general flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt through three various areas that make no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software application developed by engineers, for engineers– not daily entrepreneur.
The “Affordable” Plan That Obtained Genuine Costly, Genuine Quick
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Appears incredible, ideal?
But below’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay additional per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing individually.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Desire far 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 outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel a MLM
The last straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was plainly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my list rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’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 about the current “innovative” tool. However just because everyone’s talking about something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is working, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, instinctive interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Transparency
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Customers (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect objective evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of actual customer experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a bunch. Below are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for tiny to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Great for task management, team collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was an irritating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, asking yourself whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not operating in your existing arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.