You know that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a wonderful idea, just to realize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what occurred when I determined to change my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It seemed revolutionary. However in truth? It developed into among the most agonizing software application choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you with precisely what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, more reliable methods to expand your organization. Just … not similar to this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the important things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it seemed like a dream come true. A solitary platform to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, settlements– you name it.
If you’ve ever juggled a Frankenstein pile of tools just to run your day-to-day, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I ‘d been making use of Keap for several years (and liking it, honestly), however still– I obtained enticed in by the promise of simplifying every little thing under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative case of glossy things disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Worked)
Let me be real with you: Keap had not been broken. It did every little thing I required. It managed my e-mail automations, sales funnels, appointment scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the user interface felt a little dated in places, and sometimes things took a couple of more clicks than I liked, however hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I just started asking yourself if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was less costly (on the surface), supplied extra features, and all the amazing online marketers online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness expense me greater than simply money– it cost me time, power, and peace of mind.
What It Expense Me to Switch over
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and essentially trying to reproduce my whole Keap arrangement inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email customers
- Lots of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel facilities
- Custom forms, landing pages, triggers … everything
Allow’s not also discuss the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, seeing tutorials, and attempting to determine where the hell standard settings were.
And simply when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. Yet then, out of nowhere, people on my list started obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to obtain. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I rebuilt the automations from scratch. Still occurred. I spoke to assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue didn’t go away. Think of waking up every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not just aggravating– it threatens. When your whole brand is improved trust, you can’t afford to appear like an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t anticipate perfection from any type of platform. Bugs take place. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance team to step up fast.
That didn’t take place right here.
Reactions were unclear. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was shouting into the void while my business burned. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a minute I wasn’t serving customers or growing my firm.
For a device that markets itself to serious entrepreneurs, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever make use of a tool and just feel … lost? That was me inside What Kind of Software Is GoHighLevel.
The UX was confusing. Things were buried in strange areas. Also easy tasks like editing and enhancing a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not also obtain me started. Wish to change product settings, web page layouts, and general flow? Awesome– you’ll need to hunt via three various locations that make zero sensible sense. Fifty percent the time, I couldn’t even keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like using software application constructed by engineers, for engineers– not day-to-day company owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Obtained Actual Costly, Actual Quick
Let’s chat money.
Among GoHighLevel’s big selling factors is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems remarkable, appropriate?
But here’s what they don’t inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you use their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their invoicing individually.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described plainly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And worsening outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s simply poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked What Kind of Software Is GoHighLevel
The last straw? Viewing my email open prices drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My target market was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply functioned.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were virtually missing. Something was clearly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages correctly. Whatever the reason, I had not been lingering to play investigative while my list decayed.
Lessons I Found Out by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any type of new system– here’s what I desire someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to get hyped regarding the latest “cutting edge” tool. However just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, think twice prior to blowing it up.
2. Value Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, intuitive interface will certainly conserve you time and migraines in the future– even if it does not have every feature under the sun.
3. Demand Openness
Hidden costs are the worst. Choose tools that are in advance regarding pricing, integrations, and restrictions. You should not need a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your month-to-month bill.
4. Pay Attention to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Marketing Experts)
Check unbiased reviews, user online forums, and Reddit threads. Focus on real individual experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trusted, straightforward platform to run your company, I have actually tested a number. Here are a couple of I ‘d really advise:.
Keap— My existing go-to. Powerful automations, solid support, and it just functions. Well worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for services that need scalability and advanced CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one service for small to mid-sized organizations with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task monitoring, group collaboration, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically wonderful for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may help some. But for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I couldn’t wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the jump– think hard. Ask yourself what’s really not operating in your present configuration. Don’t shed your systems down just because something newer and shinier turned up.
Stick to what jobs. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.