You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a great concept, only to understand later … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I made a decision to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. Yet actually? It turned into among one of the most uncomfortable software decisions I’ve made in over a years of running my organization.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me walk you via exactly what dropped– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly searching for smarter, more efficient means to expand your organization. Just … not like this.
The Seductive All-in-One Guarantee
Right here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a desire come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you have actually ever before managed a Monster stack of devices simply to run your everyday, you recognize exactly how tempting the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for many years (and enjoying it, honestly), but still– I got enticed in by the guarantee of streamlining everything under one roof.
And yeah, I’ll confess: I had a bad instance of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did everything I required. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and often points took a few even more clicks than I suched as, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was more affordable (on the surface), supplied more features, and all the awesome marketing experts on-line appeared to be raving concerning it. FOMO is a heck of a drug.
That curiosity expense me greater than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch over
I went all in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Spent a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, rebuilding workflows, and generally trying to duplicate my whole Keap setup inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Customized forms, landing pages, activates … every little thing
Let’s not also talk about the shed performance throughout those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to figure out where the heck standard settings were.
And just when I believed points were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Sneaking In
Initially, everything looked all right. But after that, out of no place, people on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in sets of 171 customers at once. Three days in a row.
Total mayhem.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I contacted support. They criticized “web server issues.” Yet absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t disappear. Imagine waking up every morning questioning who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just frustrating– it’s dangerous. When your entire brand name is improved trust, you can not pay for to look like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the wrong individuals.
Support? Yeah, All The Best
Currently, I do not expect excellence from any system. Bugs happen. However when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quickly.
That didn’t happen here.
Responses were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was screaming into deep space while my company burned. On the other hand, every minute I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or growing 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 before use a device and simply really feel … shed? That was me inside What Is GoHighLevel SaaS.
The UX was clunky. Things were hidden in strange locations. Also basic tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me began. Intend to change item settings, web page formats, and general flow? Trendy– you’ll need to quest through 3 different locations that make absolutely no sensible sense. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I would certainly clicked something ten seconds previously.
It felt like using software application developed by engineers, for designers– not day-to-day entrepreneur.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Actual Costly, Genuine Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
Among GoHighLevel’s large marketing factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds fantastic, best?
However below’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay additional per e-mail if you use their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their payment separately.
You’ll get random microcharges that aren’t explained plainly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included every little thing up, I was paying more than I had actually been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked What Is GoHighLevel SaaS
The last straw? Seeing my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a strong 35% open price with Keap. My audience was engaged, my automations were dialed in, and points just functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens dropped listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was just sending at hard times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been staying to play detective while my list deteriorated.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking of changing to GoHighLevel– or any kind of brand-new system– below’s what I wish somebody had actually informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s very easy to get hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” device. However just because everybody’s speaking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your existing system is functioning, reconsider before blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
More isn’t constantly far better. A system with a clean, intuitive interface will certainly save you time and headaches in the long run– even if it doesn’t have every feature under the sun.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed expenses are the worst. Choose devices that are upfront about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t need a calculator and a synonym replacement tool to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Pay Attention to Actual Individuals (Not Simply Marketing Experts)
Examine honest evaluations, user forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real user experience– not just slick sales pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, user-friendly system to run your business, I have actually examined a lot. Right here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, strong support, and it simply works. Well worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized businesses with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for project monitoring, group partnership, and sales pipe monitoring.
Bonsai— Specifically great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Verdict
GoHighLevel might help some. But for me? It was an irritating, pricey experiment that I couldn’t wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t burn your systems down just because something newer and shinier appeared.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will thanks.