You recognize that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my company.
So prior to you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra reliable means to expand your company. Simply … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream become a reality. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), yet still– I obtained lured in by the assurance of simplifying every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a poor instance of glossy item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally things took a couple of even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), supplied much more features, and all the cool marketers on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a medication.
That inquisitiveness price me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, rebuilding workflows, and essentially attempting to replicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel framework
- Customized types, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the lost performance throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the hell fundamental settings were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Slipping In
Initially, whatever looked all right. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t supposed to obtain. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in batches of 171 individuals each time. Three days straight.
Total chaos.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” However absolutely nothing made sense, and the issue really did not go away. Imagine awakening every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply irritating– it threatens. When your whole brand name is improved trust fund, you can not afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the wrong e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any kind of system. Insects happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t occur right here.
Responses were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization burned. On the other hand, every min I invested fixing was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before make use of a device and just feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel Good For SEO.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were hidden in odd areas. Also simple jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Intend to change item settings, page formats, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to quest through three different locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Half the time, I could not even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program built by designers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Real Expensive, Genuine Fast
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the rate. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Appears amazing, appropriate?
But below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to connect solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified plainly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel Good For SEO
The final straw? Seeing my e-mail open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Maybe the system was simply sending out at bad times or not customizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I want somebody had informed me before I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s simple to get hyped about the latest “advanced” tool. But even if everyone’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your present system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A system with a tidy, instinctive user interface will conserve you time and frustrations in the future– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Hidden costs are the most awful. Select tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine impartial testimonials, user discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Take note of real user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, straightforward platform to run your organization, I have actually examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it simply works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for little to mid-sized businesses with solid reporting devices.
Monday.com— Great for job monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may help some. But also for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask yourself what’s really not working in your existing configuration. Don’t burn your systems down just because something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thank you.