You understand that sensation when you’re 99% certain something’s a wonderful concept, only to understand later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I chose to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among one of the most excruciating software application 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 exactly what went down– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra effective means to expand your business. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Assurance
Right here’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a dream happened. A solitary system to handle your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you’ve ever handled a Monster stack of devices just to run your everyday, you know just how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained drawn in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor situation of shiny item syndrome.
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 user interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it functioned.
So why modification?
Truthfully, I just started questioning if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), used more features, and all the cool marketing professionals online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medication.
That interest expense me more than just cash– it cost me time, energy, and comfort.
What It Expense Me to Switch
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours moving information, restoring workflows, and basically trying to duplicate my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made kinds, landing pages, triggers … everything
Let’s not even speak about the lost performance during those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and attempting to identify where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I thought points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
In the beginning, whatever looked okay. But then, out of no place, individuals on my list began getting e-mails they weren’t expected to receive. I’m chatting completely irrelevant messages– sent in batches of 171 individuals at once. 3 days in a row.
Total turmoil.
I restore the automations from square one. Still taken place. I spoke to support. They criticized “web server issues.” But nothing made good sense, and the problem really did not disappear. Think of waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not pay for to resemble a clueless amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any type of platform. Bugs happen. However when they do? I expect the support team to step up quick.
That really did not occur right here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my business shed. Meanwhile, every min I invested fixing was a min I had not been serving clients or expanding my agency.
For a tool that markets itself to severe entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply really feel … lost? That was me inside What Does GoHighLevel Offer.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Also straightforward jobs like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Wish to change item settings, page layouts, and general circulation? Awesome– you’ll require to search via 3 various locations that make absolutely no logical feeling. Fifty percent the time, I could not also remember where I ‘d clicked something ten seconds earlier.
It seemed like making use of software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not daily company owner.
The “Economical” Plan That Got Real Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s speak money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big marketing points is the cost. I mean, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, right?
But right here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize 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 plainly.
Want much better e-mail deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply negative mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked What Does GoHighLevel Offer
The final straw? Watching my email open prices drop like a rock.
I would certainly been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My target market was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was clearly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability issue. Maybe the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play investigator while my listing decayed.
Lessons I Learned by hand
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any new system– here’s what I want someone had actually told me before I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped concerning the current “advanced” tool. However even if every person’s discussing something does not imply it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
A lot more isn’t always far better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive user interface will certainly conserve you time and headaches in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Demand Openness
Concealed expenses are the most awful. Choose devices that are upfront regarding pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Individuals (Not Simply Marketers)
Check honest evaluations, customer discussion forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on actual individual experience– not just glossy sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Right Here Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, easy to use system to run your organization, I have actually examined a bunch. Here are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Effective automations, strong assistance, and it simply functions. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for organizations that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for little to mid-sized services with strong coverage devices.
Monday.com— Fantastic for task administration, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Especially terrific for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel may work for some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your current setup. Don’t shed your systems down even if something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will certainly thank you.