You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, just to realize later on … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s exactly what occurred when I made a decision to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into one of one of the most agonizing software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my service.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through specifically what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more efficient ways to grow your organization. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Below’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever before handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you recognize just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), yet still– I obtained enticed in by the pledge of simplifying every little thing under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That In Fact Functioned)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did whatever I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little dated in position, and often things took a few more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), provided a lot more features, and all the trendy online marketers on-line seemed to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That curiosity price me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Registered for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Personalized forms, landing pages, triggers … every little thing
Allow’s not even talk about the lost efficiency during those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
At first, whatever looked fine. Yet then, out of nowhere, individuals on my checklist started getting e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 users each time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the trouble didn’t vanish. Imagine waking up every morning wondering who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can’t afford to look like an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, Good Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Pests occur. However when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That really did not happen here.
Actions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was screaming right into the void while my organization burned. At the same time, every minute I spent troubleshooting was a minute I had not been serving clients or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a device and simply feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel Easy To Learn.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange locations. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me began. Want to alter product setups, page layouts, and general circulation? Great– you’ll need to hunt through three different locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software program built by engineers, for designers– not everyday business owners.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Got Real Costly, Real Rapid
Let’s speak cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, right?
Yet right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you utilize their SMTP.
You have to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their payment individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel Easy To Learn
The final straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were virtually nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was simply sending out at hard times or not customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t lingering to play investigative while my list decomposed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new platform– here’s what I desire someone had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. But even if every person’s speaking about something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the future– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise costs are the most awful. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your month-to-month costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Customers (Not Just Marketing Professionals)
Examine honest testimonials, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual user experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your organization, I’ve evaluated a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My current go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project management, group cooperation, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might work for some. But also for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your present setup. Do not burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.