You understand that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s a fantastic concept, only to understand later on … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s specifically what took place when I determined to change my entire company over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in truth? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always seeking smarter, a lot more effective ways to grow your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Below’s the thing. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, visit reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Monster stack of tools just to run your day-to-day, you recognize just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for several years (and liking it, truthfully), but still– I got enticed in by the assurance of streamlining every little thing under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you name it. Sure, the interface felt a little dated in places, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), supplied 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 expense me more than simply money– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving data, restoring workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail clients
- Loads of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made types, landing pages, causes … everything
Let’s not even speak about the lost productivity during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and attempting to find out where the heck basic settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were working … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Sneaking In
In the beginning, whatever looked alright. But then, out of nowhere, people on my listing began obtaining emails they weren’t expected to get. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent out in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Total mayhem.
I rebuilt the automations from the ground up. Still happened. I contacted assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” Yet absolutely nothing made sense, and the problem really did not vanish. Think of getting up every early morning wondering who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on trust, you can’t afford to appear like a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not expect perfection from any kind of platform. Pests happen. However when they do? I expect the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into deep space while my organization burned. On the other hand, every minute I invested troubleshooting was a minute I had not been offering clients or growing my firm.
For a tool that markets itself to significant business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel The Best CRM For Agencies.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange places. Also basic jobs like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. Intend to transform product settings, web page designs, and total flow? Amazing– you’ll need to quest via 3 different locations that make zero logical sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t even remember where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It felt like making use of software program developed by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget friendly” Plan That Got Real Costly, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk money.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds amazing, best?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay added per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll obtain random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel The Best CRM For Agencies
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been getting a strong 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and things just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending out at hard times or otherwise individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play investigator while my list decayed.
Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– here’s what I wish a person had informed me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s very easy to get hyped concerning the most recent “innovative” device. But just because everybody’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, user-friendly user interface will certainly save you time and migraines over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Surprise expenses are the worst. Select devices that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly bill.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Professionals)
Inspect honest evaluations, customer forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reliable, easy to use system to run your company, I’ve tested a lot. Below are a couple of I ‘d really recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just works. Worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Fantastic for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically excellent for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, costly experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your current configuration. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.