You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a great concept, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what occurred when I chose to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It seemed revolutionary. But actually? It became among the most agonizing software application choices I’ve made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you through exactly what decreased– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, more reliable methods to grow your company. Simply … not similar to this.
The Seductive All-in-One Promise
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, settlements– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Frankenstein stack of devices simply to run your daily, you know exactly how alluring the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I got drawn in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I needed. It managed my email automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface really felt a little outdated in places, and occasionally points took a few even more clicks than I liked, yet hey, it functioned.
So why change?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (externally), offered much more features, and all the trendy marketing professionals on the internet appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, energy, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, reconstructing workflows, and essentially attempting to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All customer accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
In the beginning, every little thing looked okay. However then, out of nowhere, individuals on my list started obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to receive. I’m speaking entirely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days in a row.
Overall mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I got in touch with assistance. They criticized “web server concerns.” Yet nothing made sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Envision getting up every early morning questioning who your system might’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand is improved count on, you can not manage to look like an unaware amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the wrong people.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any kind of system. Insects happen. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quick.
That didn’t take place here.
Feedbacks were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into deep space while my organization melted. Meanwhile, every minute I invested repairing was a minute I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to significant entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside Is GoHighLevel Worth Buying.
The UX was confusing. Things were hidden in weird places. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow became a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also get me started. Want to change item setups, page layouts, and overall circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to search via three various locations that make absolutely no logical sense. Fifty percent the time, I could not also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something 10 secs previously.
It felt like utilizing software application built by designers, for designers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Genuine Pricey, Genuine Fast
Let’s talk cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s huge marketing factors is the rate. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds incredible, ideal?
However below’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You have to attach services like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their billing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Want better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s simply bad math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Is GoHighLevel Worth Buying
The last straw? Seeing my email open prices go down like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and things just worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not customizing messages appropriately. Whatever the reason, I wasn’t lingering to play detective while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering changing to GoHighLevel– or any brand-new system– below’s what I desire somebody had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to obtain hyped regarding the most up to date “cutting edge” device. But just because everybody’s talking about something does not suggest it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
Extra isn’t always much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will save you time and migraines in the long run– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed costs are the most awful. Choose devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your monthly costs.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Inspect objective testimonials, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual user experience– not simply glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your service, I have actually examined a bunch. Right here are a few I ‘d in fact recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one option for little to mid-sized companies with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Wonderful for task administration, group cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially fantastic for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel may benefit some. But for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s truly not working in your current configuration. Don’t melt your systems down even if something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick to what jobs. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thank you.