You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, just to realize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s exactly what took place when I chose to change my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. But in truth? It became one of the most uncomfortable software program decisions I have actually made in over a years of running my organization.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you with exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always trying to find smarter, a lot more effective means to grow your organization. Just … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, appointment reservations, automation, payments– you call it.
If you have actually ever before handled a Monster stack of tools just to run your daily, you know exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been utilizing Keap for years (and liking it, honestly), but still– I got lured in by the promise of simplifying whatever under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap wasn’t damaged. It did every little thing I required. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and occasionally points took a few more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), provided more features, and all the trendy marketing experts on the internet appeared to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity price me greater than just money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Cost Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours migrating information, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to replicate my entire Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email clients
- Dozens of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe billing integration
- Whole funnel infrastructure
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Allow’s not even talk about the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and trying to figure out where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Began Slipping In
At first, every little thing looked fine. But then, out of no place, people on my checklist began getting e-mails they weren’t meant to obtain. I’m speaking completely pointless messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Complete turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “web server issues.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not go away. Imagine getting up every morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply frustrating– it threatens. When your entire brand name is improved count on, you can’t pay for to resemble an unaware amateur blowing up the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, All The Best
Now, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of system. Bugs happen. Yet when they do? I anticipate the support group to step up quick.
That didn’t happen below.
Reactions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was shouting right into the void while my service shed. At the same time, every min I spent troubleshooting was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever before utilize a device and just feel … lost? That was me inside Shaun Clark GoHighLevel.
The UX was cumbersome. Things were buried in weird places. Even straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail circulation developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me began. Wish to alter item setups, page layouts, and overall circulation? Cool– you’ll require to search through three different locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten secs previously.
It felt like making use of software constructed by designers, for engineers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Costly, Actual Fast
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I indicate, $97/month for all those features? Sounds impressive, appropriate?
However here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay added per email if you use their SMTP.
You have to link solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked Shaun Clark GoHighLevel
The last straw? Viewing my e-mail open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and things just worked.
After switching to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were almost nonexistent. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability issue. Possibly the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise customizing messages properly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t sticking around to play investigator while my checklist rotted.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I desire somebody had told me before I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped about the most recent “revolutionary” device. But just because everyone’s talking about something doesn’t mean it’s right for you. If your existing system is working, hesitate before blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, instinctive interface will conserve you time and migraines in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the worst. Pick devices that are in advance about pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to understand your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Users (Not Simply Marketers)
Examine unbiased evaluations, customer online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual individual experience– not simply glossy sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward system to run your business, I have actually tested a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d really suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one service for little to mid-sized companies with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Wonderful for project monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down even if something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thanks.