You know that feeling when you’re 99% certain something’s an excellent idea, only to recognize later … it was an overall dumpster fire? That’s precisely what happened when I decided to switch my entire agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked glossy. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in truth? It became one of one of the most agonizing software application choices I’ve made in over a years of running my company.
So before you jump on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via specifically what went down– due to the fact that if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find smarter, extra reliable methods to grow your business. Simply … not such as this.
The Seductive All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel struck the scene, it sounded like a desire become a reality. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, e-mail campaigns, consultation bookings, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before juggled a Monster stack of tools just to run your everyday, you know just how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been using Keap for many years (and loving it, honestly), but still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying every little thing under one roof covering.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a poor instance of shiny item syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Really Functioned)
Let me be actual with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did whatever I needed. It handled my email automations, sales funnels, consultation scheduling, invoicing– you name it. Certain, the interface felt a little outdated in places, and in some cases things took a few even more clicks than I suched as, but hey, it functioned.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply began wondering if I was missing out. GoHighLevel was less expensive (externally), used more features, and all the amazing marketing experts online appeared to be going crazy about it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest cost me more than simply cash– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Price Me to Switch
I went done in. Signed up for the $297/month agency plan. Invest a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, restoring workflows, and generally attempting to reproduce my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Below’s what I needed to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe payment integration
- Whole funnel facilities
- Customized kinds, landing pages, causes … everything
Allow’s not even speak about the lost productivity throughout those few weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, watching tutorials, and trying to find out where the heck standard setups were.
And simply when I believed things were working … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
At first, everything looked okay. But after that, out of no place, individuals on my checklist began obtaining emails they weren’t supposed to get. I’m talking completely pointless messages– sent out in sets of 171 customers at a time. Three days in a row.
Total disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I called assistance. They criticized “web server problems.” Yet nothing made good sense, and the issue really did not disappear. Think of awakening every morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed over night.
That’s not simply aggravating– it’s dangerous. When your whole brand is improved depend on, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the wrong emails to the incorrect individuals.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect perfection from any system. Pests happen. Yet when they do? I expect the support team to step up quickly.
That really did not happen right here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I seemed like I was yelling right into the void while my company melted. At the same time, every minute I spent fixing was a min I wasn’t offering clients or growing my company.
For a device that markets itself to severe business owners, GoHighLevel certain didn’t treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever use a tool and just really feel … shed? That was me inside When Was GoHighLevel Founded.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in unusual locations. Also simple tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an email flow turned into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me began. Wish to alter item settings, page formats, and general flow? Cool– you’ll require to hunt through three different areas that make zero rational feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not even remember where I ‘d clicked something ten secs earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software constructed by designers, for designers– not daily business owners.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Got Actual Pricey, Real Fast
Let’s talk money.
One of GoHighLevel’s large marketing points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Sounds outstanding, right?
Yet here’s what they do not inform you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to link services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing independently.
You’ll obtain arbitrary microcharges that aren’t described clearly.
Want better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I included everything up, I was paying greater than I had actually been with Keap. And worsening results.
That’s not a good deal– it’s just poor mathematics.
My Email Metrics Tanked When Was GoHighLevel Founded
The final straw? Enjoying my email open rates go down like a rock.
I would certainly been getting a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and things just functioned.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were almost missing. Something was plainly off.
Perhaps it was a deliverability concern. Possibly the system was just sending out at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I had not been lingering to play investigator while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Discovered the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching over to GoHighLevel– or any new platform– below’s what I wish somebody had informed me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Don’t Chase the Shiny Plaything
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the most up to date “revolutionary” tool. Yet even if every person’s discussing something does not indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, hesitate prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Extra isn’t constantly far better. A platform with a clean, user-friendly user interface will save you time and frustrations over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Openness
Surprise expenses are the most awful. Choose tools that are ahead of time about pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to recognize your regular monthly expense.
4. Listen to Actual Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Inspect impartial reviews, individual online forums, and Reddit threads. Take notice of actual user experience– not simply slick sales web pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a reputable, user-friendly platform to run your business, I’ve checked a number. Right here are a few I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, strong support, and it just works. Worth every dime.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A strong all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized businesses with solid coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for task administration, group cooperation, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Especially great for freelancers and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. But for me? It was a discouraging, costly experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, wondering whether to make the leap– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s really not working in your existing configuration. Do not shed your systems down just because something more recent and shinier showed up.
Stick with what jobs. Your sanity (and your customers) will certainly thank you.