You understand that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s an excellent concept, only to recognize later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded 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 prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what dropped– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, a lot more efficient methods to grow your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Promise
Here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come to life. A single platform to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever managed a Monster pile of devices simply to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), yet still– I obtained tempted in by the guarantee of simplifying whatever under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of glossy object disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did whatever I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, visit scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it worked.
So why change?
Honestly, I just started asking yourself if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), supplied a lot more features, and all the amazing online marketers online appeared to be raving about it. FOMO is a hell of a drug.
That interest expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily trying to duplicate my entire Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Personalized kinds, landing pages, activates … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the shed performance during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell fundamental setups were.
And just when I thought points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Started Slipping In
Initially, everything looked alright. But then, out of no place, people on my listing started obtaining e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking completely unimportant messages– sent out in batches of 171 customers at once. 3 days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I restore the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I contacted assistance. They condemned “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Picture awakening every early morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can not afford to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any kind of platform. Bugs occur. Yet when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quick.
That really did not occur here.
Feedbacks were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling into deep space while my organization shed. Meanwhile, every min I spent troubleshooting was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever before utilize a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel Only For Agencies.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in strange locations. Even basic jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to change product setups, web page designs, and overall flow? Amazing– you’ll require to hunt with three different locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Half the time, I couldn’t even bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 secs previously.
It seemed like utilizing software program developed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day local business owner.
The “Inexpensive” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, right?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t explained clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you as well.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel Only For Agencies
The final straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Maybe the system was just sending out at bad times or not personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new system– right here’s what I wish someone had actually informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped about the most up to date “innovative” tool. But just because every person’s talking about something does not mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always better. A system with a clean, user-friendly interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Covert prices are the most awful. Pick devices that are ahead of time concerning pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Check unbiased evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit strings. Focus on actual user experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your company, I have actually examined a lot. Below are a few I ‘d in fact advise:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it simply works. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one solution for little to mid-sized organizations with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for job management, team collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a discouraging, pricey experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your current configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.